What Is Fifth Disease?
Fifth disease is a viral illness that most kids recover from quickly and without problems. It's especially common in kids ages 5 to 15.
Fifth disease is known for a rash that makes a child’s cheeks bright red. That’s why it’s sometimes called a "slapped cheek" rash. A few days later, the rash spreads down to the trunk, arms, and legs. It usually lasts 1 to 3 weeks.
What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Fifth Disease?
Fifth disease begins with:
- a low fever
- headache
- a stuffy or runny nose
These symptoms clear up, and the illness seems to be gone until the rash appears a few days later. Kids younger than 10 are most likely to get the rash.
The rash usually starts on the face and makes the cheeks bright red. Then, red (usually lighter) blotches appear on the chest, back, arms, and legs. The rash can be itchy. After a few days, it takes on a lacy net-like look.
Sometimes, the rash can seem worse when the skin is warm or in the sun. It comes and goes before going away completely after a few weeks.
In older kids and adults, fifth disease might not cause the red cheek rash, but can cause joint swelling and pain that can last from weeks to months and, very rarely, years. But in time, it usually goes away without any lasting problems.
What Causes Fifth Disease?
Fifth disease (also called erythema infectiosum) is caused by parvovirus B19. The virus spreads in droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or touches a surface. It is most contagious before the rash appears, when the symptoms seem like that of a common cold. By the time the rash appears, the body has already been fighting the infection for a while and the person’s not contagious anymore. Kids usually don't spread the infection once they have the rash.
How Is Fifth Disease Diagnosed?
Doctors usually can diagnose fifth disease by seeing the rash on the face and body. If someone doesn't have the rash but does have other symptoms, the doctor may do blood tests to see if is causing them.
How Is Fifth Disease Treated?
Fifth disease is caused by a virus, so can't be treated with antibiotics (antibiotics kill bacteria, not viruses). In most cases, it is a mild illness that clears up on its own, so no medicine is needed.
Usually, kids with fifth disease feel OK and just need to rest. After the fever and mild cold symptoms are gone, there may be little to treat except any discomfort from the rash.
If your child's rash is itchy, ask the doctor for advice about easing discomfort. The doctor may also recommend acetaminophen for a fever or joint pain. Do not give aspirin to your child, as it has been linked to a rare but serious illness called Reye syndrome when given to kids who have a viral infection.
What Problems Can Happen?
Fifth disease might make some people more ill, like those with:
- weak immune systems (such as those with AIDS or cancer)
- some blood disorders (like sickle cell disease or hemolytic anemia)
Parvovirus B19 can temporarily slow down or stop the body from making oxygen-carrying red blood cells (RBCs). This can lead to severe anemia, which needs to be treated in a hospital. A person with severe anemia may be pale, dizzy, or drowsy.
Parvovirus B19 infection during a woman's pregnancy may cause problems for the fetus, especially during the first half of the pregnancy.
Can Fifth Disease Be Prevented?
It’s tough to fully prevent fifth disease. There is no vaccine to prevent it. But after someone has fifth disease, they won’t get it again. Their immunity after infection lasts throughout life.
Washing hands well and often is the best way to avoid the virus that causes fifth disease and can help prevent the spread of many infections.
When Should I Call the Doctor?
Call the doctor if your child develops a rash, especially if the rash is widespread or your child also has a fever, cold symptoms, or joint pain.
Also call if you're pregnant, have a weak immune system, or have a blood disorder, and you:
- develop a rash or joint pain
- were around someone who had fifth disease or an unusual rash
FAQs
There is no vaccine to prevent the human parvovirus but once you've become infected, you will develop lifetime immunity. Adults can develop fifth disease but they usually don't get the slapped-cheek rash that children do. Instead, adults tend to suffer a more flu-like kind of illness.
Can adults catch fifth disease? ›
Fifth disease can affect adults, but this is rare. Once you're exposed to the virus, your body's immune system builds up defenses to fight it off. This means that if you had fifth disease as a child, you'll likely be immune to it as an adult. Most adults have had fifth disease as a child.
How long are you contagious with fifths? ›
Incubation period is 4 – 21 days. Rash and joint symptoms occur 2 – 3 weeks after infection. People who have fifth disease are usually contagious only during the first stage of the illness. By the time the rash or joint pains develop (two to three weeks after exposure) people are no longer contagious.
What can be mistaken for fifth disease? ›
Numerous other skin rash illnesses may be confused with fifth disease:
- Measles.
- Rubella.
- Roseola.
- Scarlet fever.
There is no vaccine to prevent it. But after someone has fifth disease, they won't get it again. Their immunity after infection lasts throughout life. Washing hands well and often is the best way to avoid the virus that causes fifth disease and can help prevent the spread of many infections.
Can kids go to daycare with fifth disease? ›
Once the rash appears, a person is no longer contagious. A child who has been diagnosed with Fifth Disease need not be excluded from child care.
Is hand, foot, and mouth the same as fifth disease? ›
Unlike other viral infections that usually cause hand, foot, and mouth diseases (namely coxsackievirus A16 and enterovirus 71), the fifth disease does not typically involve the palms and soles. Joint pains: Around 5% of children and about half of adults with the fifth disease experience joint pains.
How do adults get parvovirus? ›
Human parvovirus is present in the nasal mucus, spit or saliva. The virus can be spread through airborne droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It may also spread through blood or contaminated blood products. Pregnant people with parvovirus can spread the virus to the fetus through the placenta.
Do adults get a rash with slapped cheeks? ›
Adults do not usually get the rash on their face. The rash may be less obvious on brown and black skin. A few days later, a spotty rash may appear on the chest, back, arms and legs.
Do you need to see a doctor for fifth disease? ›
Call the doctor if your child has: Fever more than 102° F after treating for 3 days. Severe joint pain or swelling. A condition that weakens the immune system (like sickle cell disease, cancer, or hemolytic anemia)
Fifth disease is sometimes called “slapped cheek disease.” The illness's bright red rash on the face looks like the child has been slapped. About half of people get fifth disease sometime during childhood or their teens. Once you've had it, you are unlikely to be at risk of getting it again.
Can fifths disease live on surfaces? ›
It can spread when droplets land on surfaces and then are rubbed into the eyes, nose, or mouth. It can also spread by sharing food, eating utensils, and mouthed toys. People who develop fifth disease during pregnancy can pass the infection to the fetus.
How to treat fifths disease in adults? ›
There is no specific treatment for fifth disease. It is usually mild and goes away on its own. To feel better, get plenty of rest. Taking acetaminophen can help with the fever and pain.
What does a RSV rash look like? ›
Rash: Pink, small, flat spots on the chest and stomach. Rash is the same on both sides of the body. Then may spread to the face and arms. Classic feature: 3 to 5 days of high fever without a rash or other symptoms.
Can you have fifths disease without a fever? ›
Symptoms of Fifth Disease
"Lacy" rash mainly is on thighs and upper arms/shoulders. Rash also is on chest and stomach in 50% of children. The rash does not itch or hurt. No fever or low-grade one less than 102° F (39° C).
Can adults get parvovirus B19? ›
Parvovirus B19 infection is usually mild for children and adults who are otherwise healthy. However, for some people, it can cause serious health complications affecting the nerves, joints, or blood system.
Is fifth disease the same as hand, foot, and mouth? ›
Unlike other viral infections that usually cause hand, foot, and mouth diseases (namely coxsackievirus A16 and enterovirus 71), the fifth disease does not typically involve the palms and soles. Joint pains: Around 5% of children and about half of adults with the fifth disease experience joint pains.
Why are my 5 year old's cheeks red but no fever? ›
Some reasons your child's cheeks are red, yet have no fever, can be eczema, dry skin, or a sunburn. Dry, chapped cheeks are more likely in colder weather. Oftentimes, your little one's nose and cheeks are left exposed to the cold despite being bundled up in a warm jacket.
What happens if you get fifths disease while pregnant? ›
Fifth disease and pregnancy
Even if a woman is not immune and is infected with parvovirus B19 while pregnant, she usually experiences only a mild illness. Likewise, her unborn baby usually does not have any problems because of the parvovirus B19 infection.
