Boticaria García explains what the slapped cheek virus, common among children, is and how it develops.

In recent weeks, many media outlets have repeated this information. pediatricians warn about the high incidence of the so-called slap-face virus,reddish rash which first appears on the cheeks and is a benign but highly contagious infection. Boticaria Garcia Zapeando explains what it consists of and how it develops.

As Boticaria explains, this condition is called “megaloerythema or erythema infectiosum, and primarily affects school-age children.” Despite this, he warns that one should not relax as it can also affect adults. Infection occurs through drops of saliva which are released when talking, coughing or sneezing. “The patient can spread the disease during incubation period and at the onset of symptoms, explains the pharmacist. – In the rash phase, when the disease can be recognized, it’s not contagious“Adds Boticaria.

As for them symptomsthe pharmacist explains that at first they are “very non-specific”: “Headache, runny nose, some discomfort, it may or may not appear.” heat“. Later a rash appears, which begins in cheeks. Skin lesions may be prolong and, as he points out, “characteristically it affects the buttocks and limbs.

Injuries to other parts of the body reddish lesionsflat, have a mesh shape. “They don’t usually appear on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet and tend to be itchy,” explains Boticaria. Usually this disappear in a week but there may be a rash reactivate for several weeks due to certain factors: light, sun or heat.

As for preventing it, pharmacist explains that there is no vaccine against the virus that causes it. Due to the method of distribution, Airways“Washing your hands and practicing good coughing and sneezing habits will help prevent the spread of infection,” he explains. “In general, softly, benign and the children recover quickly,” he clarifies.