What is an erythema infectiosum?
erythema infectiosum is a common disease of childhood, caused by a virus called human parvovirus B19 (PV-B19). The infection worldwide is the most common infection at the end of winter and early in the spring. The annual rate of infection is cyclical, with a higher rate of infection every four to seven years. The disease is smaller in children, but can cause serious health problems in adults, people with insufficient immune system, pregnant women and people with anemia. Erythema infectiosum is also known as the fifth disease and face slap syndrome. The main symptom is itchy rash that spreads all over the body and is the hardest on the cheeks, arms and legs. In teenagers and adults, stiff, painful, swollen joints are a common symptom. Activities that include joint bending are painful and difficult. Other symptoms of erythema infectios in adults or children may include head, fatigue, fever, nausea and diarrhea.
While most of the symptoms of erythema infectios are mild and harmless, this disease mayIn some people cause serious symptoms. Women in the first trimester of pregnancy are endangered by spontaneous abortion when infected with a virus. The infection can cause a potentially fatal condition called hydrops fetalis in which the fluid accumulates in the thoracic cavity of the developing fetus. The fetus is also at risk of anemia and congestive heart failure.
People with chronic disorders of hemolytic anemia, such as sickle -shaped diseases, are also at risk of serious complications. Chronic disorders of hemolytic anemia are the result of abnormal levels of red blood cell destruction. In the case of human parvovir B19 (PV-B19), people with haemolytic anemia can enter an aplastic crisis situation in which a large amount of red blood cell immature is destroyed. Someone in the aplastic crisis is threatened by a dangerously low level of oxygen in the blood, which can be fatal if it is not treated quickly. ANDPlastic crisis can usually be averted blood transfusion.
Anyone with immune deficiency is endangered by potentially serious complications. The greatest risk is a chronic viral infection that can affect the production of red and white blood cells in the bone marrow. In the case of a compromised immune system, antiviral drug treatment is required to prevent serious infection.
In most people, viral infection causes only minor symptoms; Therefore, treatment of erytheme infection is usually limited to treatment of pain with over -the -counter medicines such as ibuprofen. A lot of fluids and rest are also recommended and antihistamine drugs can be used to alleviate itching of the skin.