Fifth disease is a condition that causes a bright red skin rash. It is also sometimes called “slapped cheek disease” as well. This rash appears after a parvovirus B19 infection. This is usually a condition that is seen in children but adults can get this condition as well. This illness typically goes away on its own after a few days.
The symptoms of Fifth disease are:
Not all children who get parvovirus B19 get Fifth disease symptoms. This does not mean that they are not contagious prior to displaying Fifth disease symptoms as parvovirus B19 is highly communicable. It can take a few days for the symptoms of Fifth disease to appear as well. Flu-like symptoms tend to go away when the Fifth disease symptoms start.
In some cases, a secondary red and lacey rash might develop on the skin of the legs, arms, chest and back, and buttocks. A small number of people suffering from Fifth disease will also experience joint pain and swelling.
Adults are more likely to experience joint pain and swelling and they are also more likely to display flu-like symptoms while also having Fifth disease symptoms.
Fifth disease is caused by Parvovirus B19. You will not get Fifth disease without first having the parvovirus. Parvovirus B19 is very contagious and can easily be passed to others through coughing and sneezing. This virus can also spread through blood exposure from a pregnant person to a baby, but this is not common.
Fifth disease itself is not contagious, and once the symptoms of Fifth disease appear, children are considered to be through the shedding phase of their parvovirus infection.
Most often, Fifth disease is diagnosed based on the symptoms that a patient is displaying. This is a very recognizable illness in most cases, making it simple for doctors to correctly diagnose it. Your doctor could order blood tests to look for markers of the Parvovirus B19 illness that preceded the Fifth disease symptoms or they could do a flu test to see if your child is still contagious despite showing Fifth disease signs.
This condition will typically resolve on its own in a few weeks. Your child might need some supportive care such as over the counter NSAIDs to reduce fever and joint pain discomfort. Your doctor might also provide medications to help with the discomfort of the rash that are topically applied. Adults are more likely to experience longer-lasting symptoms than children, but they usually do not need any special treatment protocol either.
There is no vaccine for Fifth disease. The virus that precedes it is highly contagious, which means that those with Parvovirus B19 need to wash their hands and avoid contact with those who have not been infected. If you do not know that you or your child have the Parvovirus that leads to Fifth disease, you might not be able to prevent infecting others during the early phases of the illness.