In 1975 its cause was discovered to be Parvovirus B19. The bright red cheeks are a defining symptom of the infection in children (hence the name "slapped cheek disease"), but the rash will not extend over the bridge of the nose or around the mouth. In addition to the red cheeks, children often develop a red, lacy rash on the rest of the body, with the upper arms and legs being the most common locations. Teenagers and adults may present with a self-limited arthritis.
Patients are usually no longer infectious once the characteristic rash of this disease has appeared. Any age may be affected although it is most common in children aged six to ten years. By the time adulthood is reached about half the population will have become immune following infection at some time in their past. Outbreaks can arise especially in nurseries and schools.
The disease is usually mild, but it does have the ability to cause some serious problems: it is associated with spontaneous abortion in pregnant women, and with transient aplastic crisis in persons with chronic hemolytic anemia. Primary infection in the first trimester has been linked to hydrops fetalis. The rash can last a couple of weeks and may itch.
The name fifth disease stems from the fact that when diseases causing childhood exanthemata (rashes) were enumerated, it was the fifth listed. The other four exanthematous childhood diseases are: varicella (Chickenpox), rubella (german measles), roseola and rubeola (measles).
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