Fifth Disease
Introduction
Fifth disease is an illness caused by a virus. It is common and highly contagious. It
usually happens to children. But adults can also get it.
Fifth disease is also called parvovirus infection. Fifth
disease causes a rash on the cheeks, arms and legs.
Symptoms of fifth disease are often mild and little
treatment is needed for most children. In some adults, the
infection can be serious. But treatment options are
available.
This reference summary explains fifth disease. It covers
symptoms and causes of the illness, as well as treatment
options.
Fifth Disease
Fifth disease is a mild illness caused by a virus called human parvovirus B19. It is
called fifth disease because it is one of 5 common
childhood illnesses that are characterized by a rash. Fifth
disease may cause a reddish, lacy rash on the face. It
looks as though the face had been slapped on both
cheeks. Fifth disease is sometimes called slapped-cheek
disease or slapcheek.
Fifth disease happens mostly in children between the
ages of 5 and 14. But adults can also be infected. Fifth
disease outbreaks usually happen during the winter and
spring. There is no vaccine to prevent fifth disease. But
once you recover from the illness, you cannot be infected
in the future.
This document is for informational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a doctor or healthcare professional or a
recommendation for any particular treatment plan. Like any printed material, it may become out of date over time. It is important that you rely on the
advice of a doctor or a healthcare professional for your specific condition.
©1995-2014, The Patient Education Institute, Inc. www.X-Plain.com
Last reviewed: 12/03/2014
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Symptoms
Most people who have fifth disease have no signs or symptoms. When symptoms
happen, they vary depending on the age of
the person who has the disease.
Early symptoms of fifth disease in children
may include:
• Headache.
• Itching.
• Slight fever.
Other early symptoms of fifth disease in
children include:
• Sore throat and runny nose.
• Tiredness.
• Upset stomach.
Several days after the first symptoms, a bright red rash on the face may appear. It
usually happens on both cheeks.
The rash caused by fifth disease may spread to the:
• Abdomen.
• Arms.
• Buttocks.
• Thighs.
The rash may look pink, lacy and slightly raised.
The rash may come and go for up to 3 weeks. It may
become more noticeable if the child exercises. It may
also be more noticeable if the child is exposed to:
• Heat.
• Stress.
• Sunlight.
Adults who are infected with fifth disease usually do not develop a rash on their face.
This document is for informational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a doctor or healthcare professional or a
recommendation for any particular treatment plan. Like any printed material, it may become out of date over time. It is important that you rely on the
advice of a doctor or a healthcare professional for your specific condition.
©1995-2014, The Patient Education Institute, Inc. www.X-Plain.com
Last reviewed: 12/03/2014
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The main symptom of fifth disease in adults is joint soreness. This can last days or
weeks. The joints that are most commonly affected include the:
• Ankles.
• Hands.
• Knees.
• Wrists.
Causes
Fifth disease is caused by a virus. The disease can
spread from person to person. It can spread through
droplets in the air if an infected person coughs or
sneezes. Fifth disease can also spread through blood.
A pregnant woman who is infected with the illness can
spread it to her unborn baby.
A person who is infected with fifth disease is contagious
in the week before the rash appears on their body. The
person is no longer contagious once the rash appears. This means that they cannot
spread the infection to others.
Complications
Fifth disease is usually mild. But it can cause serious complications for certain people.
Red blood cells carry oxygen to all parts of your body.
Anemia is a condition that causes red blood cells to be
used up in the body faster than your bone marrow can
replace them. If a person who has anemia is infected
with fifth disease, it can cause their body to stop making
red blood cells. This is called an anemia crisis.
Fifth disease can cause anemia and related
complications in:
• People with weak immune systems.
• Unborn children of women who are infected
during pregnancy.
This document is for informational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a doctor or healthcare professional or a
recommendation for any particular treatment plan. Like any printed material, it may become out of date over time. It is important that you rely on the
advice of a doctor or a healthcare professional for your specific condition.
©1995-2014, The Patient Education Institute, Inc. www.X-Plain.com
Last reviewed: 12/03/2014
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Fifth disease can trigger severe anemia in people who have weak immune systems.
Immune systems can be weakened by:
• AIDS.
• Certain cancer treatments.
• Drugs used after an organ transplant to prevent
organ rejection.
If a woman who is pregnant is infected with fifth
disease, it could cause a miscarriage or stillbirth. These
complications are more likely if she is infected during
the first half of the pregnancy.
Diagnosis
To diagnose fifth disease, your health care provider will
perform a physical exam. He or she will ask you
questions about your personal and family medical
history. The disease is easier to diagnose if you have the rash it causes. A blood test
may also be done to check for the presence of the virus in your body.
Treatment
Fifth disease usually goes away on its own. Selfcare treatment at home is usually all that is needed
to treat a mild case of fifth disease.
Self-care treatment for fifth disease includes:
• Rest.
• Drinking plenty of fluids.
Pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen,
can help treat fevers, headaches or joint pain.
If your child has fifth disease, talk to your health
care provider about which pain relievers to use. Do
not give aspirin to anyone younger than 20. It could
cause Reye syndrome, a serious disease that
affects the brain and liver. Reye syndrome can lead
to death.
This document is for informational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a doctor or healthcare professional or a
recommendation for any particular treatment plan. Like any printed material, it may become out of date over time. It is important that you rely on the
advice of a doctor or a healthcare professional for your specific condition.
©1995-2014, The Patient Education Institute, Inc. www.X-Plain.com
Last reviewed: 12/03/2014
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Try not to spread the illness. Wash your hands often. Stay home from work while you
are contagious. Children should stay at home
and not go to daycare or school while they
are contagious. If you are pregnant or have a
weak immune system or certain blood
disorders, see your health care provider. You
may need extra checkups, tests or treatment.
People with severe anemia may need to
receive treatment in a health care facility.
They may need blood transfusions.
To treat fifth disease, people with weak
immune systems may receive antibodies through injections. Antibodies are proteins
made by a type of white blood cell. They can destroy specific harmful substances in
the body or make it easier for the body to destroy them. Pregnant women who are
infected with fifth disease may receive medications. A blood transfusion may be given
directly to the unborn baby.
Summary
Fifth disease is an illness caused by a virus. It is common and highly contagious. Fifth
disease happens mostly in children between the ages of 5 and 14. But adults can also
be infected. Fifth disease outbreaks usually happen during the winter and spring. Most
people who have fifth disease have no signs or symptoms. When symptoms happen,
they vary depending on the age of the person
who has the disease.
Early symptoms of fifth disease in children may
include:
• Headache.
• Itching.
• Slight fever.
• Sore throat and runny nose.
• Tiredness.
• Upset stomach.
Several days after the first symptoms, a bright
red rash on the face may appear. It usually happens on both cheeks.
This document is for informational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a doctor or healthcare professional or a
recommendation for any particular treatment plan. Like any printed material, it may become out of date over time. It is important that you rely on the
advice of a doctor or a healthcare professional for your specific condition.
©1995-2014, The Patient Education Institute, Inc. www.X-Plain.com
Last reviewed: 12/03/2014
idfo0101
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Fifth disease can spread from person to person. It can spread through droplets in the
air if an infected person coughs or sneezes. Fifth disease can also spread through
blood. A pregnant woman who is infected with the illness can spread it to her unborn
baby. Fifth disease is usually mild. But it can cause serious complications for certain
people. If a person who has anemia is infected with fifth disease, it can cause their
body to stop making red blood cells.
Fifth disease can cause anemia and
related complications in:
• People with weak immune
systems.
• Unborn children of women who
are infected during pregnancy.
If you are pregnant or have a weak
immune system, see your health care
provider. You may need extra
checkups, tests or treatments.
Fifth disease usually goes away on its own. Self-care treatment at home is usually all
that is needed to treat a mild case of fifth disease. Self-care treatment for fifth disease
includes:
• Rest.
• Drinking plenty of fluids.
Pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, can help treat fevers, headaches
or joint pain.
This document is for informational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a doctor or healthcare professional or a
recommendation for any particular treatment plan. Like any printed material, it may become out of date over time. It is important that you rely on the
advice of a doctor or a healthcare professional for your specific condition.
©1995-2014, The Patient Education Institute, Inc. www.X-Plain.com
Last reviewed: 12/03/2014
idfo0101
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