What is infectious erythema or megaloerythema?
Fifth disease is caused by parvovirus B19, an exclusively human virus, therefore, there can be no contagion from humans to animals or vice versa. Fifth disease is also known as, "" or "".
In general it is a benign process and that presents some spots or erythema on the skin very characteristic, since initially it manifests itself with a skin rash on the cheeks as if the child had been slapped on the cheeks.
What is the cause?
Megaloerythema is a contagious infectious disease caused by the parvovirus B19. It mainly affects children of preschool and school age, among the 5 and 14 years. It can also occur in young adults, in fact, about 50% of adults have passed the infection by this virus, but most of them do not remember it.
How is it spread?
Is a contagious diseaseBut, when the rash appears, it is no longer so and, therefore, it is not necessary to isolate the child at home and can attend school or daycare. A person infected with parvovirus is most contagious during the incubation period (the stage between the entry of the virus and the appearance of symptoms) or during the catarrhal period.
The incubation period ranges from 4 to 28 days, with an average of 16 to 17 days. The probability of becoming infected after contact with this disease is 50%. Once the illness is over, the child becomes immune to the same and does not have this disease again.
It is spread by air through the drops of saliva And it is very typical that there are outbreaks of infectious erythema in schools in spring and summer. Despite its seasonal frequency, there may be cases throughout the year.
Symptoms of fifth disease
Like many infectious diseases, erythema infectiosum is initially characterized by:
Little by little these first symptoms subside and a red rash intense on the skin that begins in the cheeks looking like a “slapped child”. Then it spreads downward over the entire body surface, appearing pinker spots on trunk, arms and legs, in the form of lace or patched, since the spots are lightening in its central area.
The color of the rash brightens or "lights up" with ambient heat, physical exercise, stress, or sun exposure. The spots do not usually appear on the palms of the hands, or on the soles of the feet
Treatment
generally does not itch and goes away without treatment In a few weeks. Therefore, the treatment is only symptomatic, of discomfort and fever with antipyretics and analgesics usual. As a rule, children recover quickly and without complications, disappearing completely in a period of one to two weeks.
Complications
Very exceptionally this disease can be complicated, being able to produce joint inflammation (wrists, knees and ankles) o. Anemia can be serious if the patient has a problem with their immune system or some other form of anemia above.
Risk patients
As we have mentioned before, complications are rare but it has a special affinity for the precursor cells of the red blood cells.
- In patients with chronic hemolytic anemia it can produce severe anemia attacks.
- In patients with immunodeficiencies It can cause a temporary decrease in the levels of white blood cells.
- In the pregnant it is dangerous because it can affect the fetus very seriously, since parvovirus B19 can be transmitted through the placenta.
Prevention
We do not have a vaccine against parvovirus B19 and no way to prevent the spread of the virus. Isolating a person with the characteristic rash does not prevent contagion because, generally, when the rash appears, the child is no longer contagious.
Have some good hygiene habits, such as washing your hands, is advisable, since it can help prevent the spread of this and other infections.
What you should know:
- In general, it is a benign process that presents some very characteristic spots or erythema on the skin, since it initially manifests itself with a skin rash on the cheeks as if the child had been slapped on the cheeks.
- It is a contagious disease, but, when the rash appears, it is no longer so and, therefore, the isolation of the child at home is not necessary and can attend school or daycare.
- The rash is usually not itchy and clears up without treatment within a few weeks. Therefore, the treatment is only symptomatic, of discomfort and fever with antipyretics and usual analgesics.
Pediatric specialist
(Updated at Apr 14 / 2024)