Fifth Disease 

What is Fifth’s Disease? 

Fifth’s Disease (or erythema infectiosum) is a mild illness caused by the human parvovirus B19. Although it generally affects preschool age and young school age children, any individual can acquire this illness. There is a peak incidence in late winter and early spring.

What are the signs and symptoms? 

-Fifth’s Disease begins with a fever and other symptoms such as headache, sore throat or nausea.

-Bright red rash (“slapped cheek” appearance) on both cheeks for 1-3 days, which is followed by a pink, lace-like rash on the extremities. The rash may spread to the buttocks and trunk as well. This lacy rash can resolve after 3-7 days from onset. However, it can come and go for up to 5 weeks, especially after warm baths, exercise and sun exposure.

Is my child contagious?

If a child is exposed to the virus, the rash is most likely to appear 10-14 days post-exposure. The child is most contagious the week before the rash begins. Once the rash appears, the child is no longer contagious. 

Is treatment necessary? 

No treatment is necessary! In otherwise healthy children and adults, it resolves without medical treatment.

I am pregnant and have been exposed to a child with Fifth Disease, what does this mean?

Usually, there is no serious complication for a pregnant woman or her baby because of exposure to a person with fifth disease. About 50% of women are already immune to parvovirus B19, and these women and their babies are protected from infection and illness. Even if a woman is susceptible and gets infected with parvovirus B19, she usually experiences only a mild illness. Likewise, her unborn baby usually does not have any problems attributable to parvovirus B19 infection.

Sometimes, however, parvovirus B19 infection will cause the unborn baby to have severe anemia and the woman may have a miscarriage. This occurs in less than 5% of all pregnant women who are infected with parvovirus B19 and occurs more commonly during the first half of pregnancy. There is no evidence that parvovirus B19 infection causes birth defects or mental retardation. (Retrieved on November 25, 2009 from http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/revb/respiratory/B19&preg.htm)