What causes slapped cheek syndrome?
Slapped cheek syndrome is caused by a virus (parvovirus B19). The virus spreads to other people, surfaces or objects by coughing or sneezing near them.
How do you get rid of slapped cheeks?
For most children, infection with slapped cheek disease initially causes little more than cold symptoms. These generally improve after a few days, when the rash starts to show. Most people with slapped cheek infection need little if any treatment. Rest and pain-relieving medication (such as paracetamol) may help.
How contagious is slapped cheek syndrome?
Slapped cheek rash After a few days, a distinctive bright red rash on both cheeks (the so-called “slapped cheeks”) normally appears, although adults may not get this. By the time this rash develops, the condition is no longer contagious.
Can adults get slap cheek disease?
Adults don’t usually develop the slapped-cheek rash. Instead, the most noticeable symptom of parvovirus infection in adults is joint soreness, lasting days to weeks. Joints most commonly affected are the hands, wrists, knees and ankles.
Is slap cheek contagious for adults?
What is slapped cheek syndrome?
Slapped cheek syndrome is caused by an infection with parvovirus B19. Slapped cheek syndrome is usually mild, accompanied by fatigue or cold-like symptoms for a few days, followed by a rash on the cheeks, arms, legs and trunk. The infection is contagious in the early stages of the illness before the rash is present.
Should I stay off work if my child has slapped cheek syndrome?
The virus spreads to other people, surfaces or objects by coughing or sneezing near them. You do not have to stay off work or school after the rash appears. Let the school or teacher know if your child has slapped cheek syndrome.
What is the treatment for slap cheek syndrome?
Symptoms of slap cheek syndrome, such as fever or pain, can be treated with over-the-counter pain medications, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen ( Advil, Motrin). For some individuals, cessation of immunosuppressive therapy has helped them clear chronic infections.
What is slapped cheek disease (5th disease)?
Slapped cheek disease is sometimes called fifth disease or erythema infectiosum. It is an infection caused by the parvovirus B19 virus. It most commonly occurs in children aged 3-15 years but anyone can be affected. It can be passed on (it is infectious). The infectious period is for 4-20 days before the rash appears.