Download Slapped Cheek or Fifth Disease - 10Science2-2010

Catherine Frost
Slapped Cheek or Fifth
Disease-erythema
infectiosum
Catherine Frost
Cause
• parvovirus B19 is a
viral infection that
causes slapped
cheek. This is not the
same one that occurs
in animals, and
cannot be passed
between animals and
humans. People
usually get it in early
spring.
Catherine Frost
Infectious?
• Patients with the rash are
usually not contagious.
• The virus of fifth disease is
spread mostly by droplets. This
means that when an infected
person coughs or sneezes, the
virus can be spread.
Catherine Frost
symptoms
• Slapped cheek usually occurs in
winter and spring. A fever and
malaise are the first signs of the
disease. A rash (the ‘slapped
cheek’) appears after about a
week and after 3-4 days, a fine,
red, lacelike rash can develop
over the rest of the body. The
rashes can last for anything up
to three weeks, coming and
going.
• Older children and adults with
the disease may get swollen
joints (arthritis) which clears
within a few days.
Catherine Frost
treatment
• The treatment is supportive
only. Fluids and rest are
important. Antibiotics do
nothing because fifth disease
is a viral illness. In those with
persistent arthritis,
antiinflammatory medications
such as ibuprofen or naproxen
can be used.
Catherine Frost
Immunisation
• There is know immunisation or
medicine that will prevent the
onset of Slapped Cheek but
frequent hand washing is
recommended to reduce the
spread of parvovirus.
Catherine Frost
Recovery
• Once the rash is present, the
person is no longer infectious
and doesn’t need to be
isolated. Because slapped
cheek is a viral infection, it
cannot be treated with
antibiotics. Lots of rest is
advised for recovery.
• Most patients survive.
Catherine Frost
Common to Australia or
the World?
• Slapped cheek is a common
childhood disease and is found
all over the world.
• Up to 50 percent of susceptible
household contacts and 10 to
60 percent of child care or
school contacts may be
infected during outbreaks
Catherine Frost
Fun stuff
• Pregnant women in contact with Fifth disease
should seek medical advice and have a blood test
• Children with haemolytic blood disorders or
leukaemia must avoid children with Fifth disease
• The virus is most common in school-aged
children, but babies can get it too.
Catherine Frost
bibliography.
• http://www.chw.edu.au/parents/factsheets/slapped
j.htm
• http://www.medicinenet.com/fifth_disease/page2.h
tm
• Google images
• http://www.babycenter.com.au/baby/health/slappe
dcheekdisease/
• http://raisingchildren.net.au/articles/slapped_chee
k.html
• http://www.nevdgp.org.au/info/phd_nev_diseases/
a_parvo_b19.htm
Catherine Frost