Slapped Cheek Syndrome Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Slapped cheek syndrome, also called fifth disease, is an infectious viral disease usually affecting children. However, anyone of any age can get the disease. It is caused by the human parvovirus B19.

The virus causing the disease is not the same as the "parvovirus" affecting pet dogs or cats. Animal parvoviruses do not infect humans and the human parvovirus strain does not affect pets, as well.

Signs and Symptoms

A child having the condition usually has a "slapped cheek" rash on the face, hence the name. Lacy red rashes may also appear on the trunk, back, arms and legs. Sometimes, the rash may itch, which can cause the child to scratch the affected area. Persistent scratching may lead to bacterial skin infection.

Before rashes appear, the infected child may have low-grade fever, body malaise, or a cold. Other symptoms of slapped cheek syndrome may be the same as the symptoms of a cold, such as sneezing, runny nose, sore throat, and mild headache. In most cases, however, the symptoms are very mild, usually resolves on its own, and often do not lead to serious complications.

Adults who have not contracted the disease can get infected when exposed to the virus. They either develop no symptoms or may have the typical rash of slapped cheek syndrome, which may be accompanied by joint pain or swelling. The arthritis-like symptoms usually affect the hands, wrists, and knees. However, joint pain and swelling usually resolves within a week or two.

Is it contagious?

The disease can spread quickly especially in areas where there is close contact with an infected person, such as at school or at home. The parvovirus, like the common cold virus, has been found in respiratory secretions, such as saliva and mucus. It can be spread through sneezing, coughing, sharing of drinking cups and utensils, and through hand-to-hand contact.

Commonly, the infected person is contagious during the early stage of the disease when cheek rashes have not yet appeared. After the characteristic "rash" appears, usually within 3 to 7 days after the onset of mild flu-like symptoms, the person may probably no longer spread the disease.

Once a person has had the infection, he or she will develop a lasting immunity. This means that the person will have protection against the disease in the future.

Diagnosis

In most cases, special diagnostic testing may not be necessary. The condition, often, can easily be diagnosed based on visual examination of the typical rash. For high-risk people, such as pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems, a blood test may be recommended by the doctor to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment

In most cases, fifth disease is usually mild and resolves on its own without special medical treatment.

To relieve symptoms like fever, headache, and joint pain, the doctor may recommend pain medications like paracetamol or ibuprofen. Children aged 16 years old and below should not be given aspirin.

Itchiness may be a problem for some. In this case an antihistamine or moisturizing lotion may help relieve symptoms of itchy skin. Check with your doctor or pharmacist whether the antihistamine is suitable for your child.

Getting plenty of rest and drinking plenty of fluids is recommended.

High-risk people who get infected with the virus need special medical treatment and hospitalization. For example, people who have severe anemia may need to undergo blood transfusion.

Sources:
Medline Plus (March, 2010). Fifth Disease. National Library of Medicine (NLM), Available online at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/fifthdisease.html. Accessed on July 17, 2010.

Division of Viral Diseases (January, 2010). Parvovirus B19 (Fifth Disease). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Available online at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/revb/respiratory/parvo_b19.htm. Accessed on July 17, 2010.