Slapped Cheek Syndrome (Fifth Disease, Erythema Infectiosum) - Medtick

Slapped Cheek Syndrome (Fifth Disease, Erythema Infectiosum)

What is it?

It is a viral infection that can be caught just like a cold or flu and via nasal secretions.

  • It is a mild condition where some have no symptoms at all.
  • The illness usually last up to 7 -10  days but symptoms of rash can last up to five weeks (and can reoccur in hot, warm climates, when one exercise, has fever or is stressed).
Patients with conditions such as H.I.V, Blood disorders, sickle cell disease and/or thalassemia are at increased risk

Contagious

Slapped cheek is spread by touching or breathing in the coughed or sneezed fluid drops from an infected person. Children with slapped cheek are contagious until 24 hours after their fever has resolved. They will not be able to spread the infection to other people after this time, even if they have a rash.
The Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation

Medication

Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs can be used under medical supervision, however Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs is not recommended in asthma or asthma type symptoms. Check with your Medical doctor/Pharmacist when one can have any type of fever reducing medication to make sure it suitable for you.

Cause

Medication

Symptoms

  • Mild fever (one feels hot) with mild runny nose?
  • Eye pain behind the eye and/or eyelid heaviness causing an aching headache?
  • Hoagland sign – early and transient oedema (swelling) of upper eyelids (mainly adults)?
  • Mild cough – can be chesty or dry?
  • General rash Petechiae – Tiny spots of bleeding under the skin or in the mucous membranes (mouth or eyelids)?
  • First stage rash: Bright red rash on both cheeks?
  • Second stage rash : May spread to chest, stomach, arms and thighs which are itchy (can last for five weeks)?
  • Third stage rash: Rash eruption fades leaving behind a lacey pattern?
  • Joint pain or stiffness in hands, knees, wrist, ankles (particularly in adults)?

Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:

Do not wait, phone for an ambulance if have or develop:


This condition can worsen symptoms of:


This condition can lead to:


General tips:


This condition may show similar symptoms to:

Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist) for further advice

Detailed Information

Please copy and paste any key words from the title: Slapped Cheek Syndrome (Fifth Disease, Erythema Infectiosum) in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).

  • NHS

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