Slapped cheeks disease – the fifth disease of childhood. Find out from pediatrician Igor Pletosu what this viral infection is

A contagious viral infection that most commonly affects children between the ages of 5 and 10 is “slapped cheek” disease, also known as erythema infectiosum.

Igor PLETOSU, PEDIATRIST: “Erythema infectiosum is usually a childhood disease, but it can also affect adults. It is the fifth disease of childhood or slapped cheek disease, caused by a single-stranded virus, human parvovirus B19.”

The virus is transmitted through saliva or nasal secretions and is seasonal in the spring.

Igor PLETOSU, PEDIATRIST: “The basic symptom that everyone recognizes is the specific erythema, a bright pink color of the cheeks, it can also appear on the rest of the body. It disappears in 2-5 days maximum. They can be mild virus symptoms: sneezing, slight congestion, lacrimation, tiredness, headache, some general symptoms that can be with any virus. The incubation period is from 3-5 to 7-10 days, the minimally symptomatic period in which the child is contagious. Then he no longer removes the virus after the rash has appeared.”

Usually, slap-cheek disease is mild, and complications can occur in people in the risk group.

Igor PLETOSU, PEDIATRIST: “There are children who receive immunosuppressive preparations, i.e. corticosteroids, who have chronic allergies, who have certain autoimmune pathologies, people who are in the process of having a transplant, pregnant women who did not endure the disease in childhood.”

Enduring the disease usually leads to the formation of a long-lasting immunity, therefore in adults the infection is encountered quite rarely.

Igor PLETOSU, PEDIATRIST: “Diagnosis is usually clinical, through the specific rash and general clinical examination that excludes other pathologies. If the diagnosis is already established, the treatment is symptomatic. Antipyretics are given if the child has a fever, rarely, but they can be up to 39 degrees for 2-4 days, anti-inflammatories, antihistamines if they show itching symptoms, lots of fluids, decongestants, uroseptics if they have throat discomfort and monitoring.”

The main method to prevent erythema infectiosum is proper hygiene.

Igor PLETOSU, PEDIATRIST: “That is, a very simple prevention: disinfectant, if we don’t have a sink and soap at hand; correct use of handkerchiefs; we wash our hands very well after visiting public transport, public places and times. Young mothers who have children and are also pregnant, must monitor their children to wash their hands, because they are the vectors that can bring the infection home. This is the simplest, most effective method of prophylaxis, to prevent infection, but also to put a “barrier” in the transmission of the respective virus in the community.”