It is spread by very close contact and touch. This. The application of an ice-cold flannel can relieve the discomfort of burning hot cheeks. Slapped cheek syndrome (also known as "fifth disease") is a type of viral infection that is most common in children, although it can affect anyone of any age. Are there any tests for slapped cheek disease? Specific antibody testing (parvovirus IgG) should be performed to determine the womans immune status to parvovirus. Ultrasound examination and Doppler examination of at-risk pregancies can detect hydrops fetalis. Some people just have a fever and feel generally unwell, without any rashes. Exclusion for five days (1,2): from rash onset - chickenpox*, measles from starting antibiotics - whooping cough (pertussis) from onset of swollen glands - mumps German measles (rubella) (3) six days from onset of rash Scarlet fever (3) child can return 24 hours after commencing appropriate antibiotic treatment It is usually a mild, self-limiting illness. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Once infected the time until symptoms appear is between 4 and 20 days. The body rash also fades within 2 weeks, but sometimes lasts for up to a month, especially if youre exercising, hot, anxious or stressed. You do not usually need any treatment. Am Fam Physician. NICE (April 2009). You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Children with erythema infectiosum are most infectious before the onset of the rash and are probably not infectious after the rash appears. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. To reduce the risk of spreading the virus: wash your hands often with water and soap use tissues to trap germs when you cough or sneeze bin used tissues as quickly as possible This infection is also called slapped face disease, slapped cheek syndrome, fifth disease or erythema infectiosum. Br J Dermatol. Upgrade to Patient Pro Medical Professional? But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Frequent hand washing reduces the risk of slapped cheek disease being transmitted to other people. Search NHS Inform - Click here to submit this form. Its most common during winter and spring. Guidance on infection control in schools and nurseries. SMO or PEHO may advise a longer period of exclusion car sickness, teething, coughing etc. GPnotebook stores small data files on your computer called This site is intended for healthcare professionals, GPnotebook no longer supports Internet Explorer. See preventing hand, foot and mouth disease below for more information about stopping the infection spreading. Fifth disease (also known as 'slapped cheek disease', erythema infectiosum or Parvovirus B19) is a fairly mild viral illness, usually of childhood. It's often called slapped cheek disease because of the bright red spots that develop on a child's cheek who has it. Adults might also have joint pain and stiffness. This virus is an airborne virus transmitted in much the same way as the cold or flu virus, through inhalation of infected droplets suspended in the atmosphere as a result of infected individuals sneezing or coughing. Note: pet dogs or cats can be immunised against parvovirus. Sometimes there is just a blotchy redness on the face. Cases are most infectious before symptoms develop and the incubation period . The incubation period for slapped cheek disease is usually between four and 14 days after contact (in rare cases, up to 21 days). Why international students choose Oxford Brookes, Research integrity and responsible metrics, Research ethics (staff and students only), Policies and codes of practice (staff and students only), Knowledge exchange (staff and students only), Research impact (staff and students only), Exclusion Periods for Common Infectious Illnesses. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. The others include rubella, measles, scarlet fever, chickenpox, and roseola infantum. The first sign of slapped cheek syndrome is usually feeling unwell for a few days. The diagnosis can be confirmed by blood tests. It's hard to avoid spreading slapped cheek syndrome because most people do not know they have it until they get the rash. Gastroenteritis (diarrhea and/or vomiting) Exclude students who cannotmaintainpersonal hygiene until diarrhea subsides.Forcertain causes The virus is transmitted by contact with infected respiratory secretions. At first children may have symptoms of the common cold. BJOG: an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology. Your doctor will usually arrange for you to have a blood test to see if you have had slapped cheek disease in the past. doi:10.1111/j.1471-0528.2010.02749.x. It's a good idea to notify your child's school about the infection, so children who develop early symptoms can be spotted quickly and vulnerable people can be made aware that they may need to get medical advice. Fifth disease (erythema infectiosum, "slapped cheek"syndrome) Not required. Slapped cheek disease most commonly occurs in children aged 3-15 years but anyone can be affected. contained herein is strictly prohibited. 7 10 days before rash appears then no longer infectious. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. The diagnosis can be confirmed by blood tests. By the time the rash develops, it is usually no longer infectious. Use tissues to trap germs when you cough or sneeze and bin used tissues as quickly as possible. Pregnant women in the first half of their pregnancy can pass the infection on to their baby and should see their GP. Registered in England and Wales. Complications of parvovirus B19 infection are rare in healthy people. Its earned the nicknamed slapped cheek disease because of this rash. The most recognized symptom of fifth disease is a sudden, bright red rash across the cheeks that looks as if the child has been slapped. View our YouTube channel - (This will open in a new window). This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. the onset of the rash and not five days as per DOH guidance, 3) Health Protection Agency (April 2010). Is slapped cheek dangerous? Servey JT, Reamy BV, Hodge J. Slapped cheek is contagious before it is diagnosed and the rash appears. However, it is more common for the rash to come and go completely within a few days. Dermatology Made Easybook. they create glass like Assess your symptoms online with our free symptom checker. Notes on Slapped Cheek Disease (Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment), https://patient.info/childrens-health/slapped-cheek-disease-leaflet, Parvovirus B19: guidance, data and analysis, Parvovirus Infection (Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment), In children with some types of hereditary anaemia such as, In people with a weakened immune system. If you're pregnant, have a blood disorder or a weakened immune system and have been exposed to the virus, you should get medical advice. drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration babies should continue their normal feeds, take paracetamol or ibuprofen for a high temperature, headaches or joint pain, speak to a pharmacist about itchy skin they can recommend the best antihistamine for children. Exclude until all blisters have driedthis is usually at least 5 days after the rash first appeared in non-immunised children, and less in immunised children Exclude until there has not been a loose bowel motion for 24 hoursb Exclude if loose bowel motions are occurring. ), At managers discretion: (if there are other cases of D and/or V, the child may be excluded as a precaution). Exclusion period. It does not store any personal data. Slapped cheek is a viral illness that gets its name from the slap like rash that appears on a childs face. It is an infection caused by the parvovirus B19 virus. advising patients and contacts to observe strict hand washing after coughing and sneezing, and before eating. Infectious period. Parvovirus can cause other rashes such as a papular purpuric gloves and socks syndrome. The virus spreads to other people, surfaces or objects by coughing or sneezing near them. However, like some other viruses, the virus that causes slapped cheek disease can sometimes harm an unborn child. Slapped cheek syndrome is caused by a virus (parvovirus B19). But it can affect people of any age. Testing is generally only carried out in pregnant women, or in people who have other medical conditions that reduce their immune system, not in healthy non-pregnant adults or in children. The incubation period (the time between infection and signs or symptoms of illness) is usually 4-14 days, but it can be as long as 21 days. There is no vaccine or treatment that prevents slapped cheek disease. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". It is common in children, with outbreaks occurring in winter and spring. Parvovirus affects the development of red blood cells. A child with infectious disease should be excluded from school until fully recovered and if it is one of the disease listed in the table (section 8), until the required period has passed. The cheek rash usually fades within 2 weeks. Communicable Disease Section Department of Health GPO Box 4057, Melbourne, VIC 3000. Exclusion is not required. Look at other rashes in babies and children. This policy was reviewed in November 2021. You can become infected by: Someone with slapped cheek syndrome is infectious during theperiod before the rash develops. Those children who are well and have a rash may continue to attend the centre. Health information, advice, support and services. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Although usually a mild childhood condition, erythrovirus B19 infection can result in complications. You do not usually need to see a GP for slapped cheek syndrome. Once the rash appears the child is no longer infectious. If you do not want to Slapped cheek disease can be passed on (it is infectious). (once the child is well): infected children should be kept away from school while they are unwell. What is the closest relative to a hamster? a school or workplace. Stuffy or runny nose Sore. There are some things you can do to ease the symptoms. but maintains editorial independence. 6 Is fifth disease the same as Hand Foot and Mouth? To reduce the risk of spreading the virus: You do not have to stay off work or school after the rash appears. This lasts 2 to 4 days, and is followed by a pink rash on the limbs and sometimes the trunk. Once the rash appears the child is no longer infectious. View our Facebook page - (This will open in a new window). Tell your midwife or a GP if you're pregnant or have a weakened immune system and have been near someone with slapped cheek syndrome. You've been exposed to anyone with slapped cheek or you have symptoms of the infection and: In these cases, ablood test may be carried out to see if you're immune to the infection. Those people who develop complications (which is very rare) may require other treatment. It usually clears up on its own in a few weeks. DermNet provides Google Translate, a free machine translation service. Reviews in Medical Virology. 5) ) Fuller LC et al. For healthy children who have the typical rash of slapped cheek syndrome, advise that: The child should no longer be infectious once the rash develops, and it is not necessary for the child to stay off school or nursery. Lamont RF, Sobel J, Vaisbuch E, et al. Factsheet Although the rash can look alarming, slapped cheek syndrome is normally a mild infection that clears up by itself in 1 to 3 weeks. Egton Medical Information Systems Limited has used all reasonable care in compiling the information but make no warranty as to its accuracy. To ease symptoms while it clears up, you should: These can be signs of severe anaemia you may need a blood transfusion. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 1 2 days before rash appears until all spots scabbed over (usually 5-7 days), When all spots are scabbed over (minimum of 5 days from rash), No exclusion for mild cases. It usually causes a bright red rash on the cheeks. Page last reviewed: 18 February 2021 for the management of tinea capitis 2014. Clinical features of erythema infectiosum, Papular purpuric gloves and socks syndrome, French translation of DermNet NZ page on erythema infectiosum, Italian Translation of DermNet NZ page on erythema infectiosum, Polyarthropathy in infected adults (painful, swollen joints), Aplastic crisis or potentially dangerous low blood cell count in patients with.