Less danger for children with Ringelrötel

There is hardly any danger for children with Ringelrötel

12/11/2013

Ringlets usually do not pose a risk to children. The disease caused by the parvovirus B19 is one of the childhood diseases although adults can also become infected with the virus. Children usually fall ill between the ages of 6 and 15 years. Although ringworms rarely occur, it occurs every 3 to 5 years „small epidemics“ in kindergartens and schools.

Not infrequently, the infection is without obvious signs of disease. Only in a small proportion of patients does the characteristic rash of this disease appear. If children are suffering from ringworm, there is actually no great danger of severe secondary health consequences. However, if there are not enough defenses in the body, a meningitis or heart muscle inflammation may occur.

In the beginning you may experience mild fever and sore throat, which are difficult to distinguish from normal flu. Only later on does a bow-shaped or garland-shaped rash appear on the face. Occasionally sufferers also report itching. Pregnant women need to be extra careful as they transmit the virus to the unborn child, with some deadly consequences. A vaccine has not been developed yet. Ulrich Fegeler from the Professional Association of Pediatricians (BVKJ) in Cologne explains that after a few days the typical rash on the cheeks forms. You do not have to worry about that, but the skin needs to be taken care of for about four to six weeks more than usual, because the skin tightens during the illness and is also warmer than usual. The rash forms around the mouth, which partly resembles a butterfly. Pale red rings can be seen on the arms and legs.

A number of teething troubles are associated with an itchy rash and it is difficult for parents to judge whether it is indeed ringworm and not one of the other teething troubles such as scarlet fever, measles, chickenpox. The physician therefore recommends to see a doctor at the first sign. The pathogen is transmitted by the so-called droplet infection when sneezing, coughing or hand, but also the smear infection is a common transmission path. It is treacherous that the disease is already contagious before any sign of it is apparent. Fegeler advises to wash his hands thoroughly in order to limit the transmission as far as possible. (Fr)

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