Fifth desease causes illness, arthritis, stiffness and more info

FIFTH DESEASE

Introduction: Fifth disease is the mild childhood ailment caused by human parvovirus-B19 that results in rashes on the cheeks, arms and legs. The ailment is also known as parvovirus B-19, erythema infectiosum or slapped cheek. It is called Fifth Disease as it was serially ranked 5th on the list of common childhood ailments that are usually accompanied by the rashes such as measles, rubella / German measles, scarlet fever / scarlatina and scarlatinella – a type of scarlet fever. There is no information available about other types of this disease.

Causes: The disease is supposed to be caused by human parvovirus B19 which usually affect the younger children especially during the springs. The fifth desease is supposed to spread by contact with respiratory secretions and normally vanishes after five days, but rashes may reappear for several weeks. This may be perhaps due to sunlight, heat, exercise, fever or emotional stress. Most of the adults usually have antibodies to parvovirus B19 in their bodies which clearly indicates that most of the adults are literally prone to the virus as well as it also suggests that of the contagions go unnoticed. Parvovirus is also supposed to cause some other diseases including the infectious type of arthritis.

Symptoms: There are many different types of symptoms of this disease, but some of the most commonly reported symptoms are believed to include: Rashes that initially appears on the cheeks looking like slapped cheeks and then spreading to the arms and legs after about a day or two, often develops the lacy appearance. Other symptoms like fever and joint pain may also be experienced. The transient anemia may also be reported which gets serious only if the patient has the problem with immune system or some other type of anemia already existing in the body. In general, the symptoms may appear from 4 to 21 days after being exposed to the virus. Initially flu-like feeling, headache, and body-ache sore throat may be experienced.

Diagnosis: Diagnosis is generally based on patient’s symptoms and appearance of bright red rashes on the cheeks, patient’s history, age and time of the year. The doctor may also consider probabilities of other causes of rashes. Blood test is also recommended for proper diagnosis.

Treatment: This disease generally needs no medical treatment, but only in case of fever and joint pains are reported then acetaminophen is prescribed.

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