Fifth disease: symptoms, treatment and prevention of infectious erythema in children
Fifth disease, also called infectious erythema, is a "benign infection that affects children, characterized by a" facial rash: it is a "skin rash that gives the face the classic appearance of" slapped cheeks ".
Fifth disease is very common among children and is very contagious. It can easily happen that the virus spreads in the school environment, especially between the end of winter and spring. Let's find out together what are the symptoms that characterize it, because we find the number 5 in its name, how to diagnose it, treat it and, finally prevent it. In the meantime, if your child is sick at home, listen to the advice of doctor Sogni in our video:
Fifth disease: why the number 5 for Parvovirus infection?
If you are wondering why the fifth disease bears this name and where the 5 that characterizes it derives from, it is easy to say: the different exanthematous diseases (those characterized by rash) are classified with a precise numerical order: in first place c "is the measles, then scarlet fever, rubella, atypical scarlet fever (also called fourth disease) and finally fifth disease, or infectious erythema.
Generally, Parvovirus infection, the fifth disease virus, is contracted from the age of 4 to adolescence. Since it is a very widespread disease, it is estimated that half of the population already possesses the necessary antibodies and is therefore protected from them.
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Symptoms of fifth disease in children, with or without fever: from rash to joint pains to sore throat
The first of the symptoms that characterizes the fifth disease is, as anticipated, that "slapped cheek effect" on the face: the cheeks become red and hot, just as if the child had received a slap.
The rash, after a few days, also occurs on the arms and legs (often, although to a lesser extent, on the trunk): usually isolated red patches appear, about 1 centimeter in diameter. In some cases they can cause itching .
Often, but not always, the rash is preceded (7-10 days earlier) by flu symptoms such as joint pain, sore throat, fever (never too high), headache or runny nose.
The incubation period lasts between 4 and 14 days, but in some cases it can even reach 21. The erythema generally tends to disappear within a couple of weeks, but in some cases it can reappear after some time. exposure to the sun or if there are significant changes in temperature.
Diagnosis of infectious erythema starting from the rash
Diagnosing the fifth disease is quite simple: just observe the facial rash, which is quite characteristic. A clinical diagnosis will therefore suffice, which can then - if necessary - be confirmed by specific tests: blood test and antibody dosage. serum IgM and IgG to detect Parvovirus, or through the demonstration of viral DNA with PCR (Polimerase Chain Reaction) techniques.
When are these checks necessary? In case you cannot be sure that it is the specific virus: Parvovirus erythema is often confused with other exanthematous diseases such as measles or rubella, or with an allergic reaction or a form of atopic dermatitis or photodermatosis. pediatrician, in these cases, to suggest whether to proceed with specific tests or not.
Fifth disease therapy and course in children
How is fifth disease treated? First of all we specify that it is certainly an unpleasant and annoying disease, but benign, which therefore does not involve particular risks, but only requires a little more patience. In most cases, the symptoms disappear by themselves within a few minutes. In other cases, however, it may take up to 3 weeks, especially if the baby's skin is exposed to atmospheric agents.
Therapy is therefore limited to simple supportive care with the use of antipyretics, antihistamines and / or emollient lotions. Antipyretics (such as paracetamol) will be necessary in case of fever, while lotions are particularly recommended if the child suffer from itching.
Your child should also try to rest as much as possible by avoiding physical exertion and drinking plenty of water. Fifth disease rarely recurs later in life - the body develops the necessary antibodies against this virus. There are, however, rare cases in which the infectious erythema can flare up.
Contagion and prevention
Warning: the fifth disease is contagious, but only in the days preceding the appearance of the rash, when therefore it is not yet clear and evident that it is the fifth disease! When the rash appears, children they are no longer contagious and can even go back to school.
Given the high level of contagion of the virus, it is necessary to take the necessary precautions to prevent it: make sure that your child often wash his hands and not put them in his mouth, always using disposable handkerchiefs and not cloth.
For more scientific information on the fifth disease, you can consult the website of the Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital.
