erythema infectiosum (5th disease)

Etiology

parvovirus B19

Epidemiology

• generally affects children 3-12 years of age
• case in 11 month old*
• occurs in winter & spring

* ref makes no reference to epidemiology

Clinical manifestations

• incubation period of 1 to 3 weeks
• prodrome of mild fever, cough, malaise, nausea, & diarrhea coinciding with the onset of viremia lasts 2-3 days
• prodromal symptoms generally precede appearance of rash
  • initial bright-red 'slapped-cheek' appearance (malar rash)
  • diffuse lacy reticular rash that waxes & wanes over 3 weeks
• arthritis in adults, 10% of children

Management

• symptomatic
  • acetaminophen may reduce fever

More general terms

• viral infection
• childhood exanthem (numbered diseases)

Additional terms

• Dukes disease (4th disease)
• erythema
• measles (1st disease)
• roseola (exanthem subitum, 6th disease)
• rubella (German measles, 3rd disease)
• scarlet fever (2nd disease)