Erythema infectiosum! “5th disease”
Symptoms
Your child:
- has general symptoms of a cold (fever, dry cough, runny nose) or flu (fatigue, muscle aches, fever);
- has very red cheeks;
- has lace-like rosacea rashes; they are located on his limbs, mainly, and extend towards his extremities;
- has rashes, often itchy, that sometimes occur after exposure to heat or sun.
Consult the doctor if your child:
- has joint pain;
- has a temperature that exceeds 38.9°C (102°F);
- already suffers from anemia or a weakened immune system.
Also check if you are pregnant and have been exposed to an infected child.
What is erythema infectiosum?
Erythema infectiosum, also called fifth disease, is an infection of the upper respiratory tract (nose, mouth, pharynx, larynx) caused by a virus, human parvovirus B19. The disease is generally harmless and resolves on its own, without leaving any after-effects. It can even happen that a parvovirus infection goes unnoticed and is confused with a cold or flu. The child does not usually feel very sick. In older people, the infection can cause joint pain.
Parvovirus infection slows the formation of red blood cells, which is harmless in most children. However, it can cause complications in a child who is already anemic, or whose immune system is weakened by an illness or specific medication.
The body is protected for life ( immune ) after an infection. During pregnancy, especially during the first half of the pregnancy, it can happen that a parvovirus infection causes complications in a woman who has never been infected before.
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Age: Children aged 5 to 15 are particularly affected, but the virus can infect younger children or adults.
Duration of illness: 1 to 3 weeks.
Incubation period: 4 to 28 days.
Mode of transmission: By droplets of secretion suspended in the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes or spits or by contact with objects or the hands of an infected person.
Contagious period: the child is contagious during the incubation period and the first phase of the illness, generally similar to a cold or flu; he ceases to be contagious as soon as the rash appears.
Quarantine: In theory, there is no point in keeping the child home if he or she feels well enough to go to daycare or school, since he or she is usually no longer contagious once the rash appears.
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How to treat?
The doctor’s prescription
No medical treatment is required unless symptoms are severe or there are complications.
Care and practical advice
- Encourage quiet activities and rest.
- Give your child something to drink often: water, juice, soup.
- To relieve pain and fever, give acetaminophen (Tylenol®, Tempra®, Panadol®, etc.) or ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®, etc.) as directed and in the recommended doses based on age. Do not give ibuprofen to a child under six months of age, and never give acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), such as Aspirin®, to a child or adolescent.
- If necessary, apply calamine lotion to the rashes to calm the itching.
How to prevent?
Erythema infectiosum cannot be prevented.
Basic hygiene. However, usual hygiene measures can help protect against infections in general:
- Handwashing. Wash your hands with soap after coming into contact with an infected person or touching something that person has handled. Wash young children’s hands often and teach them to do it themselves as soon as possible, especially after coughing, sneezing, or blowing their nose.
- The handkerchief. Teach children to cough or sneeze into a handkerchief.
- Cough or sneeze into the crook of your elbow. If you can’t do it into a tissue, teach your child to cough or sneeze into the crook or crease of their elbow rather than into their hand.
- Disinfection of transmission surfaces. Thoroughly clean toys, faucets and door handles, preferably with an alcohol-based cleaner.
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