Exactly what is fifth's disease?

Question

My grand daughter was diagnosed with fifth's disease this week. Is it normal for her to run a temperature one day and not the next? The run one again the next? What about the rash? I am very confused and would appreciate any information I can get.

Answer 1

Especially common in children between the ages of 5 and 15, fifth disease typically produces a distinctive red rash on the face that makes the child appear to have a slapped cheek. The rash then spreads to the trunk, arms, and legs. Despite being called a "disease," fifth disease is actually just a viral illness that most children recover from quickly and without complications.

Fifth disease (also called erythema infectiosum) is caused by parvovirus B19. A human virus, parvovirus B19 is not the same parvovirus that veterinarians may be concerned about in pets, especially dogs, and it cannot be passed from humans to animals or vice versa.

Studies show that although 40% to 60% of adults worldwide have laboratory evidence of a past parvovirus B19 infection, most of these adults can't remember having had symptoms of fifth disease. This leads medical experts to believe that most people with a B19 infection have either very mild symptoms or no symptoms at all.

Fifth disease occurs everywhere in the world. Outbreaks of parvovirus tend to happen in the late winter and early spring, but there may also be sporadic cases of the disease any time throughout the year.

Signs and Symptoms

Fifth disease begins with a low-grade fever, headache, and mild cold-like symptoms (a stuffy or runny nose). These symptoms pass, and the illness seems to be gone until a rash appears a few days later. The bright red rash typically begins on the face. Several days later, the rash spreads and red blotches (usually lighter in color) extend down to the trunk, arms, and legs. The rash usually spares the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. As the centers of the blotches begin to clear, the rash takes on a lacy net-like appearance. Children younger than 10 years of age are most likely to get the rash.

Older children and adults sometimes complain that the rash itches, but most children with a rash caused by fifth disease do not look sick and no longer have fever. It may take 1 to 3 weeks for the rash to completely clear, and during that time it may seem to worsen until it finally fades away entirely.

Certain stimuli (including sunlight, heat, exercise, and stress) may reactivate the rash until it completely fades. Other symptoms that sometimes occur with fifth disease include swollen glands, red eyes, sore throat, diarrhea, and unusual rashes that look like blisters or bruises.

In some cases, especially in adults and older teens, an attack of fifth disease may be followed by joint swelling or pain, often in the hands, wrists, knees, or ankles.

Contagiousness
A person with parvovirus infection is most contagious before the rash appears - either during the incubation period (the time between infection and the onset of symptoms) or during the time when he or she has only mild respiratory symptoms. Because the rash of fifth disease is an immune reaction (a defense response launched by the body against foreign substances like germs) that occurs after the infection has passed, a child is usually not contagious once the rash appears.

Parvovirus B19 spreads easily from person to person in fluids from the nose, mouth, and throat of someone with the infection, especially through large droplets from coughs and sneezes. It can also be spread through shared drinking glasses and utensils.

In households where a child has fifth disease, another family member who hasn't previously had parvovirus B19 has about a 50% chance of also getting the infection. Classmates of children with fifth disease have about a 60% chance of getting the virus. Once someone is infected with parvovirus B19, they develop immunity to it and won't usually become infected again.

Answer 2

Erythemia infectiosum ( fifth disease ) rash starts on the cheeks and spreads to the arms, legs and trunk. It is maculopapular, often blotchy and reticular. The incubation period is 4 - 14 days, and the period of communicability is right before the onset of the rash, until a few days after. Your grandchild might have a low grade fever, and ache.

This usually lasts from 5 - 10 days, and might recur for several weeks.

This disease is caused by the human parvovirus B19. It occurs most often in the spring, and localized outbreaks among children are common.

If your child has sickle cell disease, it could be a cause of aplastic crisis.

The rash can be exacerbated by sunlight, exercise, heat,fever, or emotional stress.

Like rubella, erythemia infectiosum can be transmitted transplacentally during pregnancy, sometimes resulting in still birth or severe fetal anemia with widespread edema.
There is no specific treatment other than to make your child comfortable, and to properly diagnose with caution, you should have serologic testing to rule out rubella, or DNA testing for the B19 virus.

It is contagious, and there is no "real" treatment other than to wait it out and practice good hygiene ( wash your hands, keep the patient away from other family members )

Answer 3

The rash of fifth disease usually lasts 1 to 3 weeks. In a few cases in older children and adults, joint swelling and pain because of fifth disease have lasted from a few months up to a few years.

The majority of children with fifth disease recover with no complications. By the time the rash appears and while it's present, they usually feel well and are back to their normal activities.

However, some children with weakened immune systems (such as those with AIDS or leukemia) or with certain blood disorders (like sickle cell anemia or hemolytic anemia) may become significantly ill when they have an infection with parvovirus B19. Parvovirus B19 can temporarily slow down or stop the body's production of the oxygen-carrying red blood cells, causing anemia.

When a child is healthy, this slowdown of red blood cell production usually goes unnoticed because it doesn't affect the child's overall health. But children who are already anemic can become very sick if their red blood cell production is further affected by the virus. Their red blood cell levels may drop dangerously low, affecting the supply of oxygen to the body's tissues. They may become very pale and sick-looking, develop a rapid pulse and abnormally fast breathing, have a fever, and be much less active than usual. Blood transfusions and oxygen given in the hospital may be necessary to treat the severe anemia until the child recovers from the parvovirus infection.

Answer 4

Alternative names Return to top

Parvovirus B19; Erythema infectiosum; Slapped cheek
Definition Return to top

Fifth disease is a viral illness with mild symptoms and a blotchy rash. The rash begins on the cheeks and spreads to the arms and legs.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top

Fifth disease is caused by human parvovirus B19. It often affects preschoolers or school-age children during the spring. The disease is spread by contact with respiratory secretions and usually lasts for five days. However, the rash associated with fifth disease may recur for several weeks. Recurrences may be brought on by exposure to sunlight, heat, exercise, fever, or emotional stress.

The first sign of the disease noticed by parents is usually bright red cheeks, which look as though the child has been recently slapped on both sides of the face. Following this, a rash appears on the extremities and trunk. The rash fades from the center outwards, giving it a lacy appearance. Over a period of 1-2 weeks, the rash disappears entirely. This illness is also sometimes associated with fever.

If a pregnant woman becomes infected with parvovirus, it can cause significant harm to her unborn baby. Any pregnant woman who believes that she may have been in contact with a person who has parvovirus should consult with her physician.

Parvovirus B19 is also thought to cause other diseases. In healthy adults (particularly women), it may be responsible for an infectious form of arthritis. In people with AIDS, a weakened immune system, or hereditary anemia such as sickle cell disease, it may produce a profound anemia (deficiency of certain blood cells) called "transient aplastic crisis."

The majority of adults seem to have antibodies to parvovirus B19 in their bodies. This indicates that most people have been exposed to the virus, and also suggests that many infections go unnoticed.

Symptoms Return to top

Rash, first appearing on the cheeks, often looks like "slapped cheeks"
A rash spreading to the arms and legs about one day later, often has a "lacy" appearance
Fever
Joint pain
Signs and tests Return to top

The appearance and pattern of the rash is examined. A classic appearance of the rash may make the diagnosis straightforward.

Blood tests for antibodies against parvovirus B19, which may indicate infection, are available, although they are not commonly necessary. They may be of use in the diagnosis of "aplastic crisis" and persistent anemia. Testing may also be done when there is a question of exposure in a pregnant mother whose immune status is not known.

Treatment Return to top

No treatment is usually required for fifth disease in children. If fever or joint discomfort is present then oral acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) may be given.

Expectations (prognosis) Return to top

Since this is a mild and generally benign viral infection, complete recovery can be expected.

Complications Return to top

There are generally no complications in normally healthy children.

Calling your health care provider Return to top

Call your health care provider if symptoms suggestive of fifth disease develop (to rule out other disorders that could be causing the symptoms).


Update Date: 7/20/2004

Answer 5

Well my answer isn't as involved as the others. :) My sons had it 15-20 years ago. Was told then by doc that it is caused by the same virus as chicken pox. If the child has already had CP, then it manifests as Fifth's Disease.
I didn't consider it to be serious at that time and I still don't. My sons were fine. Just treat it as you would CP.