Fifth's Disease
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- Fifth's Disease Overview
- Fifth's Disease Causes
- Fifth's Disease Symptoms
- When to Seek Medical Care
- Exams and Tests
- Fifth's Disease Treatment
- Self-Care at Home
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Fifth's Disease Overview
Fifth's disease is a mild illness caused by a virus known as human parvovirus B19. The medical name for fifth's disease is erythema infectiosum (EI). It is seen primarily in school-aged children between 5 and 14 years of age during the spring and winter. Fifth's disease causes a reddish rash on the child's face so that it looks as if the child has been slapped on both cheeks.
- The virus is thought to spread via droplets in the air (respiratory secretions transmitted by coughs and sneezes) and blood from other infected people. Early during the illness, nasal secretions contain the viral DNA. Blood has been found to contain viral particles as well as DNA.
- Cases of fifth's disease can occur either sporadically or as part of community outbreaks. Outbreaks occur mainly in elementary schools during the spring. Half of the cases occur from spread of the virus to others in the household. Transmission of the infection in schools is less common.
- At least half of adults have had the infection and are unlikely to be re-infected. About 10% or fewer of young children are immune.
- People with the illness are contagious before the onset of symptoms and are probably not contagious after they develop the rash. The incubation period from the time of acquiring the infection to the development of symptoms is usually between four and 14 days.
- The name fifth's disease comes from a classification system used many decades ago. The five most common rashes (or exanthems) of childhood are traditionally recognized to be measles (rubeola), chickenpox (varicella), German measles (rubella), roseola, and the "fifth's disease" (parvovirus B19 infection).
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Important Safety Information
Vimpat (lacosamide) is a medicine that is used with other medicines to treat partial onset seizures in patients 17 years of age and older with epilepsy. Vimpat is generally well-tolerated, but may not be for everyone. Ask your doctor if Vimpat is right for you. Antiepileptic drugs, including Vimpat, may cause suicidal thoughts or actions in a very small number of people, about 1 in 500. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have new or worsening symptoms of depression, any unusual changes in mood or behavior, or suicidal thoughts, behavior, or thoughts about self harm that you have never had before or may be worse than before. Please see additional patient information in the Medication Guide at the end of the full prescribing information. This information does not take the place of talking with your healthcare provider about your condition or your treatment. Please see additional Patient Safety Information
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Fifth Disease
Skin Rashes in Children Introduction
A rash is a reaction of the skin. It can be caused by many things, such as a drug reaction, an infection, or an allergic reaction. Many different agents can cause similar rashes because the skin has a limited number of possible responses. Very often the associated symptoms in addition to the rash help make the diagnosis, such as a history of tick bites, exposure to other ill children or adults, recent antibiotic use, environmental exposures, or prior immunizations.
Most rashes caused by viruses do not harm your child and go away over time without any treatment. However, some childhood rashes have serious or even life-threatening causes. As a parent, you should be familiar with these rashes. Many rashes can look the same, making it difficult to know the exact diagnosis. Whenever you have a concern, see your doctor immediately.
Bacterial and Viral Rashes
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Pediatrics, Fifth Disease or Erythema Infectiosum »
Erythema infectiosum is usually a benign childhood condition characterized by a classic slapped-cheek and lacy exanthem.
