Fifth Disease
Medical Author:
Robert Ferry Jr., MD
Robert Ferry Jr., MDRobert Ferry Jr., MD, is a U.S. board-certified Pediatric Endocrinologist. After taking his baccalaureate degree from Yale College, receiving his doctoral degree and residency training in pediatrics at University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA), he completed fellowship training in pediatric endocrinology at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Medical Editor:
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical EditorMelissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.
Treatment for high-risk groupsPeople who have impaired immune systems or certain blood disorders (such as sickle cell disease or thalassemia) are at high risk for having complications from fifth disease. They need close monitoring by a doctor after exposure or if they develop symptoms of infection. Medical treatment for complications sometimes requires hospitalization. If you are pregnant and have been exposed to the virus that causes fifth disease, your doctor may recommend blood tests to see if you are infected or if you are immune. If you are infected, your doctor may recommend frequent fetal ultrasounds throughout your pregnancy to monitor your fetus's condition. SOURCE: Healthwise Top Searched Fifth Disease Terms:
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Fifth Disease OverviewFifth disease is a mild illness caused by a virus known as human parvovirus B19. The medical name for fifth 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 disease causes a reddish rash on the child's face so that it looks as if the child has been slapped on both cheeks. Sometimes the disease has been referred to as slapped cheek syndrome.
Fifth Disease CausesInfection with human parvovirus B19 was identified as the cause of fifth disease in 1975. Viewer Comments & ReviewsFifth Disease - Describe Your ExperienceThe eMedicineHealth physician editors ask:Please describe your experience with fifth disease. Fifth disease - SymptomsThe eMedicineHealth physician editors ask:What symptoms did you experience with your fifth disease? |
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Fifth Disease
Fever in Children Overview
Fever remains the most common concern for which parents bring their child to the emergency department. Fever has traditionally been defined as a rectal temperature over 100.4 F or 38.0 C. Temperatures measured at other sites are usually lower. The threshold for defining a fever does vary significantly between different individuals, since body temperatures can vary by as much as 1 F.
Fever itself is not life-threatening unless it is extremely and persistently high, such as greater than 107 F (41.6 C) when measured rectally. Fever may indicate the presence of a serious illness, but usually a fever is caused by common infections which are not serious. The part of the brain called the hypothalamus controls body temperature. The hypothalamus increases the body's temperature as a way to fight the infection. However, many conditions other than infections may cause a fever.
Fever in Children Causes
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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.
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