Fourth disease in short

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FOURTH DISEASE	Exanthemic pathology typical of the pediatric age: it is a contagious skin infection characterized by the appearance of reddish spots and eruptions on the skin
FOURTH DISEASE: SYNONYMS	Known as scarlattinetta: symptomatology very similar to that of scarlet fever (although the symptoms are much milder) Also known as "Dukes' Disease", by the doctor who first described the pathology around 1900
FOURTH DISEASE: CAUSES	The main cause has not yet been identified Assumptions: a bacterium belonging to the group of beta-hemolytic type A streptococci
FOURTH DISEASE: CONTAGIOUS	Direct contact with saliva or mucus of the sick patient Indirect contact through respiratory drops spread with cough Periods of infection: starting from incubation to the first exanthemic manifestations
FOURTH DISEASE: SYMPTOMS	Onset : headache, drowsiness, low-grade fever, apathy, loss of appetite, fever, sore throat and inflammation / enlargement of the latero-cervical lymph nodes Early exanthema : (after 10 days from the incubation of the bacterium) very close reddish dots, which form patches more or less extended at the level of the face, buttocks, groin (above all) Regression (often spontaneous) in a few days (4-5)
FOURTH DISEASE: COMPLICATIONS	Unlikely. Possible renal complications for sensitive subjects → urinalysis
FOURTH DISEASE: DIAGNOSIS	Simple objective examination Pharyngeal swab Urinalysis
FOURTH DISEASE: THERAPIES	Not always essential Antibiotic / antipyretic