DW>The doctor took one look and said, "He's got Fifth Disease." I had
DW>never heard of this, so I asked what it was. I was told that it is a
DW>new, or maybe just newly-recognized, disease, that affects children
DW>more than adults. It is caused by a virus. The first symptom is a
DW>facial rash, which worsens and spreads over much of the body. It looks
DW>bad, but there is little or no discomfort. After a week or so, the rash
DW>fades, and that's the end of it. So it is really a pretty trivial
DW>disease, but it is highly contagious. Right now, it is spreading
DW>rapidly here in Toronto. The doctor had seen only three previous cases,
DW>all in the last few days. He is expecting soon to see many more.

DW>The doctor had no idea how the disease got its strange name.

DW>Have any of you, anywhere else, come across this thing?


I never heard of it before but here's what Encarta has to say about it.
It appears to not be so new after all.  I had heard of Parvovirus
before because it causes fatal diseases in dogs and livestock.


Fifth Disease
Fifth Disease, infectious disease in children that causes a widespread
red rash. It was so named because in the late 19th century it was fifth
on a list of common childhood diseases, including diseases such as
measles, mumps, German measles (rubella), and chickenpox.

Fifth disease is caused by a virus called parvovirus. It is most common
in children between the ages of 5 and 14. Outbreaks generally occur
during the winter and spring, as the result of close contact indoors.

The disease is mild and may begin with a low fever and a general feeling
of illness. A week to ten days later, an intense red rash develops,
usually appearing first on the face. Because the cheeks appear to have
been slapped, fifth disease is sometimes called slapped cheek disease.
The rash sometimes spreads to the limbs and the trunk where it may
produce a lacy pattern. Although the rash fades in about two weeks, it
may reappear if the skin is irritated, or in response to sunlight,
exercise, bathing, or emotional stress.

In most cases, fifth disease does not cause serious complications. In
people with diseases involving red blood cell destruction, including
sickle cell anemia, however, fifth disease can cause a serious anemic
reaction; other complications may be acute (short term) bone marrow
failure or joint pain.

Although uncommon, fifth disease can occur in adults, producing more
painful symptoms, including joint pain and arthritis. In some cases,
these symptoms can last for months. In addition, pregnant women who are
exposed to fifth disease have a slightly increased risk of miscarriage.
According to scientists at the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, there is no evidence that fifth disease causes birth
defects.

There is no specific treatment for fifth disease, other than applying
calamine lotion and cool water to the rash. Bed rest and drinking clear
fluids are also recommended, and acetaminophen may be taken to alleviate
fever. The disease is only contagious in its early stages. By the time
the rash appears, the disease is no longer contagious.


Microsoft r Encarta r Reference Library 2004. c 1993-2003 Microsoft
Corporation. All rights reserved.


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