Question

A child is admitted to the hospital with a fever, headache, cough, and has had a sore throat for the past week. Three days later, a rash appears at the hairline and spreads rapidly all over the body. What disease does the child have?

Answer 1

The symptoms described - fever, cough, sore throat, headache, and a spread rash indicate that the child likely has Fifth disease, caused by parvovirus B19. The 'slapped cheek' rash is a signature feature which then spreads to the body and differs from roseola by the high fever pattern.

Step-by-step explanation:

Diagnosis Based on Symptoms

The symptoms described by the student - fever, headache, cough, sore throat, and a rash starting at the hairline and spreading over the body - suggest that the child may have Fifth disease, also known as erythema infectiosum. This illness is caused by the parvovirus B19 and is characterized by initial cold-like symptoms and a distinct rash that begins as a 'slapped cheek' appearance on the face and can spread to other parts of the body. The rash of Fifth disease often becomes lacy as it recedes.

Roseola, another viral infection common in young children, starts with similar cold-like symptoms but is followed by a pink, patchy macular or papular rash that begins on the trunk and spreads outward. However, the description provided by the student does not mention the key distinguishing feature of roseola, which is a high fever that suddenly subsides right before the onset of the rash.

Understanding Fifth Disease

The progression of symptoms in Fifth disease starts with a fever and cold-like symptoms, followed by the distinctive 'slapped cheek' rash, which then spreads to the body. This condition is especially common among children and is highly contagious during the early stage with cold-like symptoms. While many children recover without serious health effects, individuals who are immunocompromised can face more serious complications and may need medical attention.