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Fifth disease is an infection that, in children, often appears as a bright red rash on the face. It is sometimes called "slapped face" disease.
A virus called parvovirus B19 causes fifth disease.
A person with fifth disease can spread it to others by coughing or sneezing. Sometimes you can get the disease just by touching the saliva or nasal discharge (e.g. a wet hanky or tissue) of a person with the disease and then touching your own eyes or mouth. A pregnant woman who gets fifth disease can pass it to her unborn baby.
You can get fifth disease at any age, although it is more common in young children.
Once you have had fifth disease, you are protected or immune from getting sick with the virus again.
About half of all adults
have already had fifth disease, and therefore can't get it again. However, most
preschoolers and school-age children have not had it. If the virus is around,
children are more likely than adults to get it.
Many of the symptoms, including fever, rash, cough or runny nose, also occur in illnesses caused by other viruses. About a quarter of all people who get fifth disease have no symptoms.
These are the most common signs of fifth disease that are different from other illnesses:
Fifth disease is usually mild. However, there are three groups of persons at risk for serious complications if they become infected:
Babies born to mothers who were infected while pregnant do NOT have an increased risk of birth defects.
If you have been exposed to someone with fifth disease you should watch for cold-like symptoms over the next 4 to 20 days.
If such symptoms occur, cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze to prevent airborne droplets from spreading. Wash your hands often to avoid spreading the virus to others. After using tissues throw them directly into the garbage and wash your hands again. For more information see BC HealthFile #85 Hand Washing for Parents and Kids.
If you are pregnant, or have anemia or a condition that lowers your resistance to infections, you should tell your doctor that you have been in contact with someone who has fifth disease.
If you think that your child has fifth disease, and you are in one of the groups at risk for complications, you should contact your doctor. Other illnesses caused by viruses, such as rubella or measles, can have similar symptoms. Sometimes a blood test may be needed to tell the difference.
For generally healthy people, home treatment is usually the only care needed for fifth disease. Antibiotics are not used to treat fifth disease because a virus rather than bacteria causes the illness.
If you have fifth disease, by the time the rash appears you will no longer be contagious or able to spread the virus to others. Therefore, once the rash appears, there is no reason to stay away from work or school as long as you feel well.
Home treatment may include:
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