Last reviewed: 4 Sep 2023
Last updated: 24 Mar 2020
Summary
Definition
History and exam
Key diagnostic factors
- close contact with other infected individuals
- bright red macular erythema of the bilateral cheeks with sparing of the nasal ridge and perioral areas
- erythematous macules and papules evolving into lacy reticular erythema, most notable on the extremities
- immunodeficiency
More key diagnostic factors
Other diagnostic factors
- arthralgia/arthritis
- prodrome (fever, headache, pharyngitis, coryza, abdominal pain)
- symptoms of anemia
Other diagnostic factors
Risk factors
- close contact with other infected individuals
- immunodeficiency
- age 6 to 10 years
More risk factors
Diagnostic investigations
1st investigations to order
- clinical diagnosis
More 1st investigations to order
Investigations to consider
- CBC
- reticulocyte count
- serology
- DNA assays
More investigations to consider
Treatment algorithm
ACUTE
fever
secondary arthritis
ONGOING
persistent (>3 weeks) parvovirus B19 infection
Contributors
Authors
Kari L. Martin, MD
Associate Professor of Dermatology & Child Health
Pediatric Dermatology
University of Missouri - Columbia
Columbia
MO
Disclosures
KLM declares that she has no competing interests.
Acknowledgements
Dr Kari L. Martin would like to gratefully acknowledge Dr Christine T. Lauren, Dr Jon Dyer, and Dr Jennifer Holman, the previous contributors to this topic. CTL, JD, and JH declare that they have no competing interests.
Peer reviewers
Nevio Cimolai, MD
Professor
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Children's and Women's Health Centre of British Columbia
Vancouver
Canada
Disclosures
NC declares that he has no competing interests.
Differentials
- Rubella
- Measles infection
- Roseola infantum
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