Fifth's Disease Symptoms
Fifth's disease was so named because its symptoms were similar to other formerly common childhood diseases such as measles, scarlet fever, Duke's disease and rubella (Mayo Clinic). Fifth's disease is now referred to as parvovirus B19 infection or erythema infectiosum (Mayo Clinic and Merck).
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Basics
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Parvovirus B19 infection is caused, as the name suggests, by a parvovirus. This is not the same parvovirus organism strain that infects dogs and cats. A person cannot catch parvovirus from an infected animal nor can an animal catch parvovirus from an infected human (Centers for Disease Control) (CDC).
Parvovirus B19 occurs most commonly in children, but adults who have not developed an immunity to the causative organism are susceptible to the disease as well.
Symptoms
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Before the skin rash appears, a low-grade fever, general malaise and/or symptoms of a "cold" may be present for a few days, according to the CDC. Following these symptoms, a red rash will appear on the cheeks, giving the face a "slapped cheek" look (CDC).
In children, other prerash symptoms may include sore throat, upset stomach, headache and/or itching (Mayo Clinic).
Along with the facial rash may be a "lacy red rash to trunk and limbs" (CDC). The rash may or may not itch. The rash will be slightly raised reddened areas in blotches (Merck). Parvovirus B19 lasts from five to 10 days, including the initial symptoms before appearance of the rash (Merck).
Merck explains that the rash may reappear for several weeks afterward with factors such as sunlight, emotional distress, exercise, heat and fever making the rash worse.
Adults with parvovirus B19 illness will chiefly experience mild joint pain in hands, knees, ankles and wrists (Mayo Clinic).
There may also be adults who contract the illness and have no symptoms.
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Considerations
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Parvovirus B19 is of concern to women who are pregnant, especially during the second trimester of pregnancy (Merck). Merck estimates that 50 percent of pregnant women are immune to parvovirus B19 due to previous exposure, but those that aren't are at risk for stillbirth or severe anemia of the fetus. The risk of stillbirth is stated to be 5 to 9 percent by the Merck Manual.
Adults with parvovirus B19 may experience joint swelling and mild joint pain for weeks or months after the illness.
Contagiousness
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This illness is spread by respiratory droplet---sneezes, coughs, saliva (Merck). Unlike other rash-producing illnesses, parvovirus B19 is only contagious before the rash appears (CDC). The incubation period for this illness, according to Merck, is four to 14 days.
Precautions
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For persons with certain types of anemia or immunosuppressive disorders, parvovirus B19 may be a more serious illness (Mayo Clinic). Contact your health care provider if you have been exposed to someone with the illness.
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