HealthTree Blog

Fifth disease is primarily a childhood disease and is not a serious disease. The cause is the human parvovirus B19 and the main sign is a rash on the cheeks.

Fifth disease starts with a low-grade fever, headache and cold-like symptoms. A red, lacy rash appears a few days after these symptoms clear up and is noticed first on the face spreading to the body and limbs.

Fifth disease is a contagious disease and is spread through fluids such as coughing and sneezing. A person who has fifth disease is most contagious before the rash appears and once the rash develops the contagious period is over. Immunity to the disease is usually developed when first exposed to the virus, thus making it mostly a childhood disease.

While fifth disease is not harmful to children, rarely it can cause serious problems to pregnant women and unborn babies. The fetus can develop anemia if the mother is exposed to the disease. If a person has a disease such as sickle-cell anemia or has a compromised immune system fifth disease can produce complications associated with anemia.

There is no vaccine for this childhood disease, but frequent handwashing can help prevent the spread of the parvovirus B19. If a child has a rash and no other symptoms they are no longer contagious and may be at school or daycare. However, since each child is different, it is advised to check with their pediatrician before coming in contact with others.

Antibiotics are not effective against fifth disease as it is a viral illness. No medical treatment is necessary for this disease unless a child has a compromised immune system or sickle-cell disease. Fever reducing medicine other than aspirin may be given to reduce any discomfort of the symptoms when they are present and a lotion may be prescribed for the itching.