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Medical Author:

David Perlstein, MD, MBA, FAAP

David Perlstein, MD, MBA, FAAP

Dr. Perlstein received his Medical Degree from the University of Cincinnati and then completed his internship and residency in pediatrics at The New York Hospital, Cornell medical Center in New York City. After serving an additional year as Chief Pediatric Resident, he worked as a private practitioner and then was appointed Director of Ambulatory Pediatrics at St. Barnabas Hospital in the Bronx.

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Medical Editor:

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

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In this Article

• Fifth disease facts
• What is "fifth disease"? What causes fifth disease?
• What are fifth disease symptoms and signs in children and adults?
• What are the serious complications of fifth disease? Is infection with fifth disease dangerous during pregnancy?
• What is the treatment for fifth disease?
• How is fifth disease spread, when is the contagious stage, and should I be isolated if I have fifth disease?
• Patient Comments: Fifth Disease - Describe Your Experience
• Patient Comments: Fifth Disease - Symptoms
• Find a local Pediatrician in your town
• Fifth Disease Index

Rarely, patients develop erythrocyte aplasia. This is when the bone marrow stops forming a normal number of red blood cells. This complication is rare and usually transient but can be fatal. Patients who are immunocompromised (having an immune system that has been impaired by disease or treatment) are at a high risk of this complication.

Pregnant women (who have not previously had the illness) should avoid contact with patients who have fifth disease. The fifth disease virus can infect the fetus prior to birth. And, while no birth defects have been reported as a result of fifth disease, in 2%-10% of infected pregnant women, it can cause severe anemia and even the death of the unborn fetus referred to as hydrops fetalis.

The treatment is supportive only. Fluids, acetaminophen (Tylenol), and rest are important. Antibiotics are of no use in the treatment of fifth disease since it is a viral illness. In those with persistent arthritis, anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen (Advil) or naproxen (Aleve) can be used.

The virus of fifth disease is spread mostly by droplets. This means that when an infected person coughs or sneezes, the virus can be spread. However, once the rash is present, the person is usually no longer contagious and need not be isolated.

Previous contributing author:

Medical Author: Frederick Hecht, MD, FAAP, FACMG

REFERENCES:

American Academy of Pediatrics. "Parvovirus B19 (Erythema Infectiosum, Fifth Disease)." In: Pickering LK, ed. Red Book: 2009 Report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases. 28th ed. Elk Grove Village, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics, 2009: 491-493. Available at: http://aapredbook.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/2009/1/3.92.

Broliden, K et. al. "Clinical Aspects of Parvovirus B19 Infection." Journal of Internal Medicine 260.4 Oct. 2006: 285-304.