Erythema Infectiosum – What is it, Causes and Treatments!

Erythema Infectiosum – What it is, Causes and Treatments of this condition. In addition, Erythema Infectiosum is a disease that affects children, pregnant women and people with immunity problems. It results from infection  with human parvovirus (PV) B19, an erythrovirus . The virus  can affect any age, but it mainly occurs between the ages of 5 and 14, and especially in children aged 5 and 7. Most people only get it once, and then they are immune. It is more common during the spring.

Erythema Infectiosum only affects humans. Some types of parvovirus can affect animals, but humans and animals cannot capture parvovirus B19 from each other. The effects are usually mild, but life-threatening complications can arise.

Causes of Erythema Infectiosum: Erythema Infectiosum is caused by Parvovirus B19, which is a single-chain virus  that targets red blood cells in the bone marrow. The virus  spreads between humans through the air, saliva or as a result of close contact.

The most common form of transmission is through sneezing or coughing and sometimes hand-to-hand contact. It can spread quickly in places where many people gather, such as schools, kindergartens, and day care centers. Rarely, transmission can occur through blood products.

Once a person is diagnosed with Erythema Infectiosum , the person will become immune to the same condition. That way they can spend time with other people and not spread the disease. Although parvovirus mainly infects children of primary age during the winter and spring months, people of any age can be affected.

Symptoms of Erythema Infectiosum: These are the main symptoms of Erythema Infectiosum , mild symptoms begin to appear about 1 week after exposure to the virus causing the condition. These symptoms include:

• Headache
• Fever
• Sore throat
• itching
• coryza
• Abdominal pain
• arthralgias

These symptoms precede the symptom-free period of about 7 to 10 days, after which the infection progresses through the following steps:

Stage 1: The rash begins with the classic appearance of the cheeks, which typically disappears within 2 to 4 days.

Stage 2: This stage occurs 1-4 days later and is characterized by an erythematous maculopapular rash that fades into a classic lacelike reticular pattern with clear confluent areas.

Stage 3: Clearance and frequent recurrence for weeks or occasionally months may occur due to stimuli such as exercise, irritation, stress, or overheating of the skin from sunlight or bathing in hot water

Erythema Infectiosum Diagnoses: Your doctor will first do physical examinations of the rash in order to diagnose Erythema Infectiosum . However, a biopsy, a procedure in which a small section of affected skin is taken to examine more closely – is usually needed to confirm the diagnosis of erythema nodosum.

Treatments For Erythema Infectiosum: Erythema Infectiosum is initially managed by identifying and treating any underlying condition along with the skin lesions. Treatments for Erythema Infectiosum include anti-inflammatory medications and cortisone by mouth or injection. Currently, colchicine is used effectively to reduce inflammation.

Treatment must be personalized to the particular patient and their symptoms. It is important to note that erythema nodosum, while irritating and often painful, does not threaten the internal organs and the long-term outlook is generally very good.

Prevention of Erythema Infectiosum: The only preventive measure of Erythema Infectiosum is to avoid sick people. It is recommended that pregnant womenwho work in contact with children (kindergartens, schools) be sick if the HIV antibody is negative (ie, they have not had previous Erythema Infectiosum ). A preventive vaccine is being studied.