Fifth Disease

Fifth disease is an infection caused by human parvovirus B19. The name fifth disease comes from being the fifth childhood disease with a pink-red rash to be described.

Fifth disease is spread when an infected person sneezes or coughs or touches their face and then touches another person. People can infect others for a week before the rash appears. Frequent hand washing helps decrease the chance of becoming infected.

The human parvovirus B19 that causes Fifth disease infects only humans. Dogs and cats get a different parvovirus that does not infect humans. A person cannot catch human parvovirus from a dog or cat and an animal cannot catch the disease from a human. Once you have had Fifth disease, you cannot get it again.

Young school-age children most commonly get Fifth disease. Fifth disease is a mild disease and most children with the infection have only mild symptoms, but a spectacular rash. Usually no treatment is needed. The person exposed to Fifth disease usually does not get ill until 4 to 14 days after being exposed. Some children develop symptoms such as a sore throat, slight fever, headache, and tiredness in the first few days.

Adults can get Fifth disease if they didn't have it as a child. They may have no symptoms, or they may develop a rash, as well as joint pain and swelling. Joint pain usually lasts one or two weeks, but can persist for months to years. These adults should seek the advice of their healthcare provider.

About two to five days after exposure, for both adults and children, a rash appears on the cheeks. The rash looks as though the cheeks have been slapped. This facial rash feels hot and sometimes itches. After a few days, the rash may spread to the upper body and arms in a lacy pattern. The rash may come and go for 1 to 3 weeks, especially after warm baths, exercise, and sun exposure.

Fifth disease poses a risk during pregnancy. Babies infected with Fifth disease before birth may develop certain rare problems. People who have a weakened immune system or those with sickle cell disease are also at risk.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

HIA File infd4508.htm Release 13/2010