Quick guide to... Slapped-cheek syndrome
Monday, July 5, 2010
Slapped-cheek syndrome is a common virus that affects children and young people.
- Although its medical name is parvovirus B19, it is normally known as slapped-cheek syndrome because it can cause a bright red rash on sufferers' cheeks. Less-widely used names for the virus include fifth disease or erythema infectiosum.
- People with slapped-cheek syndrome often do not realise they have the virus because symptoms can be mild, similar to those caused by the common cold. Once a person is infected, they develop life-long immunity to any further infection.
- Although it is most frequent in children and young people, adults can also pick up the infection. Cases of slapped-cheek syndrome appear to run in cycles, with an increase in incidents usually recorded every four to seven years.
- Slapped-cheek syndrome is highly contagious because it is an airborne virus and can survive for a short period of time in the air and spread through coughs and sneezes. Often the virus will pass without the need for treatment, but there can be complications for certain groups.
- The virus can lead to severe loss of red blood cells for those with blood conditions such as sickle-cell anaemia. In some cases, such people will be offered a blood transfusion to restore red blood cells. Pregnant women who are infected with slapped-cheek syndrome are also at an increased risk of miscarriage.
5 weeks - symptoms will usually pass within this time
3-15 - the age at which children are most likely to be infected
50-80% - of people have had slapped-cheek syndrome
Source: NHS Choices