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Hi
Ms. P, Here's the skinny on Fifth disease, also known as erythema
infectiosum or Parvovirus (B19).
It
is called Fifth disease because historically, it was the fifth classical
childhood disease with a rash known at the time. The others were
measles, scarlet fever, rubella (german measles), an unknown "4th"
disease, and this one. Fifth disease is
1.
Caused by a virus
2.
Common in children ages 5 to 15 years
3.
Has a low grade fever, headache, and cold symptoms appear first,
followed by the rash (rash resolves in 1-3 weeks)
4.
Its rash resembles "slapped cheeks" on face, and can appear "lacey" on
other parts of body
5.
It is highly contagious and spread by coughing and/or sneezing
6.
Once you get it, you never get it again
7.
No treatment is necessary, because the illness resolves on its own. It's
a virus and an antibiotic won't work, anyway.
8.
A pregnant woman who "catches" this disease in her first trimester, may
pass it on to her unborn child causing a type of anemia (this is rare)
I
hope that helps. Dr. Mike
This
article was reviewed
04/23/2010 07:24 AM
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