{"id":5538,"date":"2019-04-10T03:44:39","date_gmt":"2019-04-10T03:44:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=5538"},"modified":"2021-03-30T17:07:38","modified_gmt":"2021-03-30T17:07:38","slug":"14-symptoms-of-fifth-disease","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/14-symptoms-of-fifth-disease\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Symptoms of Fifth Disease"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Fifth disease is caused by an infection by parvovirus B19. The symptoms are similar to those of other infections and the flu. It usually begins with a fever and aches. A rash often appears, and a sore throat is common. It is transmitted by respiratory secretions and can also be spread by blood. Many people are infectious with the disease long before they ever have any symptoms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once the symptoms are noticeable, they are no longer contagious. This is one of the reasons why it is so easily transmitted and so highly contagious. It is often spread in schools and daycares, but people of all ages can be infected. While the fifth disease is a common childhood illness that most people recover from without any complications, it can be dangerous for pregnant women, people with sickle-cell disease, or anyone with a compromised immune system. Treatments are focused on relieving symptoms of the disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Exanthema<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Exanthema <\/a>is one of the telltale signs of the fifth disease. It appears as a rash or red spots all over the body. While it is common for people, especially children, to suffer from rashes for many reasons, a rash it almost always is seen in cases of the fifth disease. It\u2019s often a sign of toxins in the body, an infection, or an autoimmune disorder. It\u2019s also a symptom of mumps, rhinovirus, and tick-borne illnesses such as rocky mountain spotted fever. These illnesses sometimes have to be ruled out when doctors are trying to determine the reason for the exanthema. A blood test can determine the reason for the exanthema and is the most common way to diagnose the fifth disease. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no specific treatment for exanthema alone. It is the body\u2019s reaction to an external substance or organism and can last until the disease is treated successfully and the patient recovers. In some cases, the exanthema can last a few days after the illness is gone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Headache<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Headaches <\/a>are common, and many people experience them. They are often just a sign of stress, fatigue, poor vision, or high blood pressure, but they can also be a sign of a disease or illness. When a body is fighting an illness, a headache is often a symptom. The body works hard to fight off illnesses, and this can put a strain on the body causing the headache. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since a fever also often accompanies the fifth disease, dehydration can be another reason for the headache. As with most other symptoms, a headache can be treated but may return until the underlying cause is dealt with. Pain medications and fluids are the most common ways to treat a headache. Rest can also help. A headache is often one of the first symptoms of the fifth disease and can also be one of the most unpleasant. Luckily, they can be dealt with and relieved fairly easily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Fever<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A fever <\/a>is the body\u2019s natural reaction to a virus or an illness. Fevers are a sign of an underlying condition and are common with infections. Fevers can range from mild to severe, and most can be treated with medication. In rare cases, a fever may be so high that it is life-threatening and require hospitalization and immediate treatment. The hypothalamus is a part of the brain that regulates body temperature. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When a person becomes sick, the hypothalamus attempts to reset the body so it can fight the infection better. It raises the temperature of the body to do so. There are numerous things that can be done to treat a fever such as medication, cool baths, and plenty of fluids. In most cases, the fever will continue to come back until the infection is cleared up. It could last several days or reduce as soon as the patient receives treatment for the disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Sore Throat<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A sore throat<\/a> is a common symptom of the fifth disease and can very painful and lasts for several days. It is especially difficult for children, who may refuse to eat or drink due to the discomfort. The sore throat can be treated with cough drops, antiseptic spray, and plenty of liquids. Since the fifth disease can enter the body through the nose and mouth, a sore throat is often one of the first signs of the disease. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sore throats are common with other illnesses, and some people have sore throats with no known underlying cause.  When a person has a sore throat, the throat may appear to be swollen, inflamed and red. There may even be blisters that appear on it. It may hurt deep inside the throat or just around the tonsils. Once a patient starts taking medication for the fifth disease, the sore throat should start to get better. Warm drinks and resting your voice can also help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Pruritus<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Pruritus <\/a>is a sensation to scratch or a feeling of itchiness. Most people relate pruritus to an external source that is irritating or touching the skin. It\u2019s a reaction to make the sensation go away and a reflex that still isn\u2019t well understood by doctors. There are some studies that show that the desire to itch may actually be a response to pain. In a person with the fifth disease, pruritus may be connected to the rash that appears or as a reaction to pain and inflammation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Everybody handles illnesses differently so some people may itch where others feel achy or sore.  Inflammation is common with the fifth disease and can also lead to pruritus. In most cases, pruritus is short-lived and only lasts for a few minutes. It may return to different parts of the body as long as the person is suffering from the disease. Antihistamines and steroids can help treat pruritus. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Coryza<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Coryza <\/a>is sometimes called rhinitis and is an inflammation in the nose. It may present itself as a stuffy nose, runny nose, postnasal drip, or congestion. In the fifth disease, the inflammation is caused by a virus. Fifth disease can be spread by mucus and bodily fluids that are expelled when a person coughs, sneezes, or blow their nose. There are many things that can cause coryza, including the common cold, flu, allergies, and sinusitis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is usually not a serious problem, and most people don\u2019t seek treatment for coryza, other than over the counter medications that can help with congestion or excess mucus. Coryza may clear up once a patient begins treatment for fifth disease, and begins to recover. It can also linger on for a full day after the other symptoms subside. Once the inflammation in the nose goes down, the symptoms should become less severe and eventually go away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Abdominal Pain<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Abdominal pain is a symptom of many disorders, diseases, and illnesses. It can also be a symptom of gas or indigestion<\/a>. In most cases, abdominal pain is nothing to worry about, but it can be a sign of a more serious problem such as the fifth disease. \u00a0Because the virus that causes fifth disease can affect the digestive tract, it\u2019s not uncommon for people to experience abdominal discomfort while suffering from the fifth disease. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since the abdominal pain is a symptom of the disease, it will likely not go away until the disease has been successfully treated and the patient starts to recover. The pain may come and go and may also be relieved with pain medication.  If abdominal pain becomes severe, patients may need to be admitted to a hospital where they can receive more aggressive treatments. Abdominal pain can make it hard to eat and sleep and can be especially difficult for children. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Arthralgia<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Arthralgia <\/a>is joint pain that is caused by an illness, infection, allergy, or even an injury. The symptom alone can be treated with pain medication and capsaicin to help block pain receptors. Sometimes, topical medications are better. They can be rubbed into the skin around the joints and relieve the pain. The joints that are often affected by arthralgia are the fingers, knees, wrists, and ankles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When a patient has the fifth disease, they often have a fever, which can lead to inflammation around the joints, causing the arthralgia. Fever reducers can help reduce the symptoms and relieve the pain. While this is a common symptom of the Fifth disease, it\u2019s not enough to allow doctors to diagnose a patient with having the disease. It\u2019s a common symptom with many other diseases and illnesses as well. A person may also have Fifths disease without suffering from arthralgia. Typically the pain goes away as soon as a treatment for the disease begins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Chills<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Fever is one of the initial symptoms of fifths disease. In most cases, it\u2019s low-grade and no cause for concern. However, some children experience a more severe fever that reaches close to 101F. This fever occurs as pyrogen proteins bind to nerve endings in the lower back and along the spine, causing the body to turn up the heat on the invading pathogens<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result, the nervous system creates a new base temperature setpoint, and the body experiences some lag while it catches up to the new setpoint. During the delay, it\u2019s possible for the patient to feel cold and shiver even though they\u2019re running a fever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The chills subside, and the symptoms continue when the patient reaches the new bassline temperature. Some doctors may let a fever run ill it starts to exceed 100F. After this, the temperature begins to pose a risk to the nervous and neurological system, resulting in an elevated risk for the potential of having a seizure.
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10.  Red Cheeks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSlapped cheeks,\u201d are a classic sign of kids dealing with fifths disease. The parvovirus <\/a>responsible for the viral infection starts to produce symptoms of a mild rash on the second or third day. The intensity and appearance of the rash vary in individuals depending on their age and the development of the immune system. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some individuals may find that they receive mild pain symptoms or itching from the rash. Doctors can provide some relief from the discomfort by administering OTC painkillers and anti-inflammatories. Medical experts are still at a loss as to the mechanism responsible for creating the rash. However, some doctors think that it may have something to do with the immune response and the health of the microbiome in the digestive system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The rash typically goes away by itself when the virus finishes running its course in the body. In rare cases, the outbreak may hang around and be the last of the symptoms to subside, but most children notice it fade quickly after the fever breaks.
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11. Anemia<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Fifths disease can cause severe complications in patients dealing with other health disorders. Anemia <\/a>is a blood disorder where the body does not produce enough hemoglobin in red blood cells to absorb the necessary oxygen into the bloodstream.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those individuals who are already dealing with anemia may find that the parvovirus infection exacerbates their already low red blood cell count. Parvo can further inhibit the development of new red blood cells by the bone marrow, resulting in dangerously low oxygen levels in the blood. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result, the patient may start to turn grey or blue, a sign that there is a lack of oxygen present in the bloodstream. If left untreated, the person will become progressively fatigued and may end up passing out from a lack of oxygen to the brain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your child has anemia and starts coming down with symptoms of parvo, such as slapped cheeks, then take them to the hospital as soon as possible.
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12. Miscarriage<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Parvovirus typically does not present any symptoms in adults, and some patients may not even realize they experienced the infection<\/a>. However, while mothers may not be overly concerned with parvovirus infection, or confuse the symptoms with a typical bout of the flu \u2013 it may have severe consequences for their baby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Parvovirus infection can spread from the mother to the fetus, creating problems with its development by causing the development of conditions like anemia in the unborn child. The virus disrupts the baby\u2019s ability to produce red blood cells, reducing the amount of oxygen available to the fetus, resulting in potential brain damage or miscarriage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Statistics show that women who contract the virus have an 80-percent chance of passing it to their developing child, and a 10-percent risk of miscarriage from cross-infection to the fetus. Any pregnant women who notice the signs of parvo should speak to their doctor as soon as possible to discuss treatment options to help prevent transmission of the virus to the unborn child.
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13. Treatment<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The fifth disease occurs due to viral infection, so doctors can\u2019t treat it using antibiotics <\/a>like they would with a bacterial infection. Therefore, in most cases, the patient has to wait for the virus to work its way out of the body. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the interim, the patient can manage symptoms at home with the use of OTC painkillers and anti-inflammatories. Should the patient feel unwell due to the vomiting, nausea of headache symptoms, they can benefit from bedrest until the infection clears. The symptoms of parvo are most prevalent in children. However, adults may display mild symptoms, but for the most part, they brush it off quickly due to a robust immune response. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the most part, symptoms are mild and last for three to four days before dissipating. Should any of the symptoms persist past 5 to 7-days, it may be due to an underlying health complication – consult with your doctor for advice.
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14. Prevention<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While parvovirus is not life-threatening, and only presents mild symptoms of pain and discomfort, it\u2019s still a highly infectious and contagious disease. As a result, it\u2019s one of the common preventable infections kids pick up at nursery school, along with conjunctivitis<\/a>, (pink eye,) and whooping cough. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prevention of the virus is challenging in young children because they don\u2019t tend to pay much mind to personal hygiene at this age. As a result, most children end up sharing food or beverages with a contaminated child, contracting the infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Parents of kids that come down with parvo should inform the nursery school as soon as they notice signs of the disease. Withhold the child from attending school until the infection clears. Adults should also avoid contact with others during this time because they could be carrying the disease but only be feeling mild symptoms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Quarantine the family for a week until you are sure the virus is gone. Other preventative strategies include washing hands regularly, as well as avoiding sharing food and beverages with other people.
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