The next condition at the top of the list that parents may be most worried about is fifth disease or erythema infectiosum. This is more common in school age children and rare in infants and adults.
What Is Fifth Disease?
The disease gets its name from being number five out of a list of six childhood rash-forming illnesses. It is a contagious virus spread in droplets from the respiratory system by coughing or sneezing and usually shows a more mild reaction. It is caused by the parvovirus B19. It is characterized by having a rash that looks like the child has been slapped. Although this virus is contagious, it stops being so by the time the rash forms.
How Do I Know If My Child Has Fifth Disease?
Symptoms of fifth disease usually include a low fever, bright red cheeks, a flat or raised red rash on the arms or legs, and these next symptoms are less common; headache, sore throat, and joint pain. The rash does not always show up in children infected with the virus. The rash though, can last any where from two days to three weeks.
What Can I Do?
Again, this is a virus and is hardly severe. With that being said nothing can usually be done to automatically get rid of it. Treat the symptoms, if the rash itches you can use an antihistamine such as Benadryl to help stop the itch.
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