Fifth disease, also called erythema infectiosum, is a viral infection caused by human parvovirus B19. It occurs most commonly in children with up to 70% of all cases occurring in children 5 to 15 years old.
Called fifth disease because it was historically the fifth childhood infectious rash to be named, this viral infection occurs worldwide but is more common in temperate climates. Epidemics are seasonal with most outbreaks occurring in the winter and spring. The infection seems to be more common in girls than boys.
There is no vaccine for fifth disease. However, once you’re infected with the virus, you’re immune for life against future infections.
Fifth disease is caused by human parvovirus B19, a virus that only affects humans. It is transmitted from person to person the same way as any viral cold is spread. The infection is most commonly spread by inhaling air containing viral particles after an infected person has coughed or sneezed, or by sharing drinking vessels or eating utensils. It can also be passed from an infected pregnant woman to an unborn child and through blood transfusions.
Coming in contact with the virus doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll get infected. About 50% of people living with someone infected with fifth disease will get the infection and 10% to 60% of students will get infected during school or daycare outbreaks.
Fifth disease is usually a mild illness and goes away without medical treatment in children and adults who are otherwise healthy. There is no specific treatment for fifth disease.
Doctors usually treat symptoms such as fever, pain, and headache with non-prescription medications such as acetaminophen* or ibuprofen. Remember never to give acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) to children with a viral infection, as its use in these circumstances is linked to a dangerous condition called Reye’s syndrome. If you or your child develop a rash, try to avoid excessive heat or sunlight as this may cause to rash to worsen or recur.
Fifth disease is only contagious at the beginning of the infection. Once the rash appears, the infection is no longer contagious. Therefore, there is no need to keep infected children home from school or daycare once the rash has appeared.
There is no vaccine to prevent fifth disease. However, good hygiene including proper hand-washing can help prevent the spread of the virus.
*All medications have both common (generic) and brand names. The brand name is what a specific manufacturer calls the product (e.g., Tylenol®). The common name is the medical name for the medication (e.g., acetaminophen). A medication may have many brand names, but only one common name. This article lists medications by their common names. For information on a given medication, check our Drug Information database. For more information on brand names, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2025. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/condition/getcondition/Fifth-Disease
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