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Fifth disease is an infection that often appears as a bright red rash on the face, especially in children. It is sometimes called "slapped face" disease.
A virus called parvovirus B19 causes fifth disease.
Many of the symptoms, including fever, rash, cough or runny nose, also occur in other illnesses. About a quarter of all people who get fifth disease have no symptoms.
These are the most common signs of fifth disease that differ from other illnesses:
A person with fifth disease can spread it to others by coughing or sneezing. Sometimes you can get the disease just by touching the saliva or nasal discharge (e.g. a wet tissue) of a person with the disease and then touching your own eyes or mouth.
A pregnant woman who gets fifth disease can pass it to her unborn baby.
You can get fifth disease at any age, although it is more common in young children. Most preschoolers and school-age children have not had it. If the virus spreads, children are more likely than adults to get it.
Once you have had fifth disease, you are protected (immune) from getting it again. About half of all adults have already had fifth disease, and therefore can not get it again.
Fifth disease is usually mild. However, there are three groups of persons at risk of serious complications if they become infected:
Babies born to mothers who were infected while pregnant do not have an increased risk of birth defects.
If such symptoms occur, cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze to prevent airborne droplets from spreading to others. Wash your hands often. After using tissues, throw them directly into the garbage and wash your hands. For more information, see HealthLink BC File #85 Hand Washing for Parents and Kids.
If you are pregnant or you have anemia or a weakened immune system,you should tell your doctor that you have been in contact with someone who has fifth disease.
You should contact your doctor if you think that your child has fifth disease and you are in one of the groups at risk of complications. Other illnesses caused by viruses, such as rubella or measles, can have similar symptoms. Sometimes a blood test may be needed.
For generally healthy people, home treatment is usually the only care needed for fifth disease. Antibiotics are not used to treat fifth disease because a virus causes the illness. Antibiotics only work against bacteria.
If you have fifth disease, by the time the rash appears you will no longer be contagious or able to spread the virus to others. Therefore, once the rash appears, there is no reason to stay away from work or school as long as you feel well.
Home treatment may include:
| Acetaminophen or Tylenol® can be given for fever or soreness. ASA or Aspirin® should NOT be given to anyone under 20 years of age due to the risk of Reye Syndrome. |
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For more HealthLink BC File topics, visit www.HealthLinkBC.ca/healthfiles/index.stm or your local public health unit. Click on www.HealthLinkBC.ca or call 8-1-1 for non-emergency health information and services in B.C. For deaf and hearing-impaired assistance, call 7-1-1 in B.C. Translation services are available in more than 130 languages on request. |
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