Fifth Disease

Fifth disease is a viral infection caused by parvovirus B19. The virus only infects humans - it's not the same parvovirus that you vaccinate your dog or cat against. Fifth disease mostly affects children. Symptoms can include a low fever, cold symptoms and a red rash on the cheeks, arms, legs and trunk. Adults who get it might also have joint pain and swelling.

It is easy to catch fifth disease. Infected people have the virus in their saliva and mucus. You can get it when you come into contact with those fluids. Frequently washing your hands might help prevent getting the virus. Most people become immune to the virus after having it once.

Fifth disease is usually mild and goes away on its own. However, it can be serious if you

Are pregnant
Are anemic
Have cancer or a weak immune system

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Disease on Wikipedia

A '''disease''' is any abnormal condition of the body or mind that causes discomfort, dysfunction, or distress to the person affected or those in contact with the person. Sometimes the term is used broadly to include injuries, disabilities, syndromes, symptoms, deviant behaviors, and atypical variations of structure and function, while in other contexts these may be considered distinguishable categories. Pathology is the study of diseases. The subject of systematic classification of diseases is referred to as nosology. The broader body of knowledge about diseases and their treatments is medicine.

Syndromes, illness and disease

Medical usage sometimes distinguishes a ''disease'', which has a known specific cause or causes (called its etiology), from a ''syndrome'', which is a collection of signs or symptoms that occur together. However, many conditions have been identified, yet continue to be referred to as "syndromes". Furthermore, numerous conditions of unknown etiology are referred to as "diseases" in many contexts. Illness, although often used to mean disease, can also refer to a person's ''perception'' of their health, regardless of whether they in fact have a disease. A person without any disease may feel unhealthy and believe he has an illness. Another person may feel healthy and believe he does not have an illness even though he may have a disease such as dangerously arterial hypertension which may lead to a fatal myocardial infarction or cerebrovascular accident.

Identifying a condition as a disease

Identifying a condition as a disease, rather than simply a variation of human structure or function, could have significant social or economic implications (such as compensation for the victims). For example, recognition of post-traumatic stress disorder, also known as "shell shock"; repetitive motion injury or repetitive stress injury (RSI); ... [ Read More ]

External Resources

Back to the Future Time Control - Cast biographies, scripts, soundtrack lyrics, film easter eggs, image gallery, filming location details, multimedia, and links. Also includes information on Parkinson's disease and the Michael J. Fox Foundation.

WWWF Ground Zero: Men in Black vs Mork - Mork is in violation of the Intergalactic Disease Control Treaty. Can the Men In Black track him down before he escapes back to Ork? [humor]

State of Denial - Looks at the issues affecting South Africans living with HIV and AIDS. Synopsis, characters and crew, press, and information related to the disease.

Time Slips - Storytelling project with people with Alzheimer's disease and their caregivers.

Lizzie Love the Caring Clown - A poetry therapist who works with the elderly with Alzheimer's disease or dementia. She also does birthday parties and gives workshops.

Norman, Adrienne - Sensitive portraiture of the human condition. Recent work includes a series about people who suffer from chronic skin disease. Images, articles, interviews with sitters, and workshop information.

Dorough Lupus Foundation - Official site for this non-profit organization started by Howie Dorough and his family. Aims to aid in research, education of the public, and providing financial assistance to individuals who cannot afford treatment for the disease.

Pump Girls, The - Rock band formed to help combat juvenile diabetes. Profiles, fan club, tour dates, music samples and information on the disease.

NPR : Ray Charles, American Legend, Dies at 73 - American musical icon Ray Charles died of complications from liver disease today at his Beverly Hills home. In a career that lasted more than half a century, Charles defied categorization and brought his soulful stylings to jazz, pop, country and R&B. [8:20 Realaudio broadcast]

Mad Cow Disease - Band from Glendale, Calif. Contains band member profiles, pictures, and lyrics.

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