Clinicians should recognize the classic “slapped cheeks” facial rash of fifth disease: erythema infectiosum due to parvovirus B19 viral infections. The rash is well-demarcated and bright red, spares the nasolabial folds, and tends to occur a week after a viral prodrome — which, interestingly, this patient did not have. Parvovirus B19 generally is self-limiting, but this common childhood illness isn’t as innocent as it seems. The virus can cause complications such as arthralgias, hepatitis, or myositis. Clinicians should especially watch out for transient aplasia crises in patients with hemoglobinopathies or hydrops fetalis in pregnant women.
Comment
Clinicians should recognize the classic “slapped cheeks” facial rash of fifth disease: erythema infectiosum due to parvovirus B19 viral infections. The rash is well-demarcated and bright red, spares the nasolabial folds, and tends to occur a week after a viral prodrome — which, interestingly, this patient did not have. Parvovirus B19 generally is self-limiting, but this common childhood illness isn’t as innocent as it seems. The virus can cause complications such as arthralgias, hepatitis, or myositis. Clinicians should especially watch out for transient aplasia crises in patients with hemoglobinopathies or hydrops fetalis in pregnant women.