Disease, fifth (erythema infectiosum): In the pre-vaccination era, it was frequently the “fifth disease” that a child would develop. It is caused by a virus known as parvovirus B 19. Symptoms include low-grade fever, fatigue, a “slapped cheeks rash,” and a rash over the whole body. While the illness is not serious in children, 80% of adults have joint aches and pains (arthritis) which may become long-term with stiffness in the morning, redness and swelling of the same joints on both sides of the body (a “symmetrical” arthritis), most commonly involving the knees, fingers, and wrists. Pregnant women (who have not previously had the illness) should avoid contact with patients who have fifth disease. The fifth disease virus can infect the fetus prior to birth. And, while no birth defects have been reported as a result of fifth disease, it can cause the death of the unborn fetus. The risk of fetal death is 5-10% if the mother becomes infected.
There is also another disease known as the “Sixth Disease”.
So, my question is: What were the first, second, third, and fourth diseases?
One quibble. My source ( http://www.ibabydoc.com/online/disease5th’s.htm ) says it was the fifth disease characterized by rash and fever that was identified in children, not the fifth disease they get.
Alhough there are a lot of rashes that occur in children, some of the most commonly seen are the traditional six “exanthems”, associated with prominent skin lesions. Measles, rubella, roseola, chicken pox, fifth disease and scarlet fever produce this appearance; as can enteroviruses such as coxsackievirus (hand foot and mouth disease), infectious mono, adenoviruses, reoviruses and arboviruses.
It looks like there is some disagreement among the various sources as to which is first, second, and so on. I found the original reference to 5th and 6th diseases in medterms.com.
Note that they have Roseola as the 6th disease as opposed to the 4th. But it might be that Roseola identified as such is the 4th, and that unidentified Roseola was seen as the 6th?
“Disease, sixth: A viral disease of infants and young children with sudden onset of high fever which lasts several days and then suddenly subsides leaving in its wake a fine red rash. The causative agent is herpesvirus type 6 so the disease is known as Sixth Disease. Also known as Exanthem subitum (sudden rash), Pseudorubella, Roseola, Roseola infantilis, and Roseola infantum.”
