Erythema Infectiosum

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

Erythema (air-uh-THEE-muh) infectiosum (in-fek-tee-O-sum) is also called fifth disease. It is a mild infection (in-FEK-shun) that is most common in school-aged children. Your child is most likely to catch it during winter and early spring. Fifth disease can be spread from person to person. Your child may first have cold-like symptoms. Then a red face rash and lace-like body rash may appear and last up to 10 days. There is no vaccine or medicine to prevent or treat fifth disease. Once your child has been infected with fifth disease, he is immune (cannot catch it again).

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

Medicines:

• Keep a written list of the medicines your child takes, the amounts, and when and why they are taken. Bring the list of your child's medicines or the pill bottles when you visit your child's caregivers. Ask your child's caregiver for more information about the medicines. Do not give any medicines to your child without first asking your child's caregiver. This includes prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, herbs, or food supplements.
  
  
• Always give your child's medicine as directed by caregivers. Call your child's caregiver if you think your child's medicines are not helping. Call if you feel your child is having side effects. Do not quit giving the medicines to your child until you discuss it with your child's caregiver. If your child is taking antibiotics (an-ti-bi-AH-tiks), give them until they are all gone. Even if your child seems to feel better.
  
  
• Never give aspirin to your child without first asking your child's caregiver. Giving aspirin to your child when he is ill may cause a very serious illness called Reye's syndrome. Read medicine labels to see if your child's medicine has aspirin.

Make your child comfortable.

• Help your child rest if he does not feel well. Encourage him to take a nap. Give him books, games, or markers and a drawing pad for quiet activities. Let him watch a movie or TV.
  
  
• Your child's rash may get brighter and itch after being out in the sun or after exercise. Ask your child's caregiver about the best way to stop your child's itching. After your child is well, the rash may come and go for a while. It may reappear (come back for a short time) when your child is hot or cold. The rash may also reappear when something rubs or pushes against your child's skin.

Tell others that your child has fifth disease.

• It is OK for your child to play with others while he has a rash. This is because he is not contagious (not able to spread fifth disease to others). Fifth disease is usually spread (contagious) before your child's rash appears.
  
  
• Tell your child's daycare or school that your child has fifth disease. They may need to tell other parents that their children have been exposed. Some schools allow you to send your child to school with a rash. Do not send your child to daycare or school if he has a fever or does not feel well.
  
  
• Tell any pregnant women that have been in close contact with your child about his fifth disease. A pregnant woman should tell her caregiver that she has been exposed to fifth disease. Fifth disease can make children with blood problems, such as sickle cell anemia, very sick. It can also make children with cancer or low immunity (catch infections easily) very sick. Children with these problems may need to see their caregiver if they have been exposed to fifth disease.

Wash your hands often.

Washing your and your children's hands is the best way to stop spreading fifth disease. Wash your hands before preparing food for meals and before eating and drinking. Do not share cups, plates, food, or eating utensils.

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• Your child has a fever.
  
  
• The rash becomes itchy.
  
  
• Your child has painful, swollen joints.
  
  
• Your child has new symptoms or seems to be getting worse.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• Your child is not thinking clearly.
  
  
• Your child is difficult to wake up.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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