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.
Almost all children get fifth disease. Most children get the disease when they are school age. It occurs most often in the winter and spring months.
Adults can get fifth disease if they are not immune from childhood. They may have no symptoms or may develop the typical rash of fifth disease, as well as joint pain, and swelling. Joint pain, especially in the knees, may last for 1 to 3 months or longer. These adults should seek the advice of their health care provider. Although many people have no symptoms other than the rash, the disease can last from a few days to several weeks.
Most children with the infection feel well. The person exposed to fifth disease usually does not get ill for 4 to 14 days after being exposed. It can take as long as 20 days. Some children develop symptoms such as a sore throat, slight fever, headache, and tiredness.
Several days later, 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 3 weeks, especially after warm baths, exercise, and sun exposure.
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 only infects humans. Dogs and cats may be immunized against parvovirus, but it is 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.
Fifth disease poses a risk during the first half of pregnancy. Babies infected with fifth disease before birth may develop severe anemia. People who have a weakened immune system or those with sickle cell disease are also at risk. If you have been exposed to fifth disease, avoid contact with pregnant women, people who are immunocompromised, and those who have sickle cell disease. Fifth disease does not require treatment.
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 INF4508F.HTM Release 9.0/2006
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