It’s fairly common and mild in most children. It can be more severe for pregnant women or anyone with a compromised immune system.
Parvovirus B19 causes fifth disease. This airborne virus tends to spread through saliva and respiratory secretions among children who are in school.
It’s most common in:
However, it can spread at any time and among people of any age.
If WE get fifth disease while pregnant, there are serious risks for our unborn baby, including life-threatening anemia.
For children with healthy immune systems, fifth disease is a common, mild illness that rarely presents lasting consequences.
The initial symptoms of fifth disease are very general. They may resemble mild symptoms of the flu.
Symptoms often include:
After a few days of having these symptoms, most young people develop a red rash that first appears on the cheeks. Sometimes the rash is the first sign of the illness that’s noticed.
The rash tends to clear up on one area of the body and then re-appear on another part of the body within a few days.
other then cheeks, the rash will often appear on the:
Children are more likely to get a rash than adults. In fact, the main symptom adults usually experience is joint pain. Joint pain can last for several weeks.
Apis : Chill stage of fever; worse from any warm coverings; better open air and from uncovering; heat stage of fever: extremely drowsy with great thirst; barely any perspiration; want cool cloths on red cheeks; ‘slapped’ face looks swollen, shiny and feels stinging & hot (just like a bee sting would look and feel); possibly with sore throat; fear of being alone and possessive of the mother (jealousy). Skin rashes that feel hot and dry and are sensitive to touch; maybe accompanied by sore throat. Rash area is puffy & hard and can resemble a bee sting. The rash is stingy. Symptoms are better by cool drinks and baths. Worse from heat and warm liquids, they can have little or no thirst.
Belladonna : Rapid or fast onset, the cheeks are very red with a radiating heat and can be accompanied by a high temperature and dilated pupils. Headache can be throbbing. May desire lemon or sour flavored drinks.
Chamomilla : Fever stage has flushes of heat in head and face; fiery red rash on face; burning; cold limbs with burning heat of face; perspiration is hot with fever; behavior is key; whining restlessness; wants many things, then refuses them; aversion to touch but wants to be carried; very sensitive to pain; ugly behavior.
Rhus toxicodendron : For rashes, blisters and vesicles with itching that worsens at night and improves with the application of heat. Generally restless and unable to get comfortable. May affect tendons and ligaments and have painful joints. Person may have painful joints.
Urtica Urens : Nettle rash or hives or urticaria with reddish, scorching, stinging outbreaks on the skin that are likely to be distended or scratchy. usually worsen after bathing, or warmth. The itching is often worse in the morning.e.t.c