Essential Facts on the Progression of Fifth Disease

Another type of viral infection that is commonly transpiring in children is known as fifth disease. It pertains to a mild infection that is triggered by parvovirus B19 in humans. The name "Fifth disease" is based on the historical fact that denotes its numerical order in the common rash-producing infections in little children.

Erythema infectiosum is another term applied to the fifth disease. Erythema literally means redness, which describes the appearance of the disease as red rashes on the face per se a "slapped cheek". The rashes can be itchy and can spread to the rest of the body parts including the legs, trunks and arms. In order cases, fifth disease can also appear as lacy, red rashes. Prior to the appearance of rashes, the patient would first develop a low-grade fever, associated with colds. The initial symptoms could last in few days or a week.

Fifth Disease as a Contagious Illness

The parvovirus B19, which causes the fifth disease to transpire, is considered transmittable through mouth or nose secretions. This denotes that the outbreak of fifth disease can be due to having contact to anyone who has the infection beforehand. The disease can be contagious during the time when rashes are not yet visible, which means the patient is still having the first symptoms like colds and a slight fever.