Fifth Disease

Fifth disease is an illness caused by parvovirus B19 that leads to skin rash on the cheeks, arms and legs. Other symptoms include: sore throat, slight fever, upset stomach, headache, fatigue and itching. Generally the skin rash occurs at the end of infection. Some adult patients may be experienced with joint pain and temporary anemia. The cheeks are so bright red; it often look like “slapped cheeks”. It often affects preschoolers or school-age children in the late winter and early spring. Sporadic outbreaks may be seen throughout the year.

The name “fifth disease” is based on that it is the fifth group of the common childhood disease with similar rashes. The other four are measles, rubella, scarlet fever and Dukes diseases. Dukes disease is referred as the "Fourth disease", a mild exanthematous disease in children. I heard of parvovirus infection but I learnt the name "fifth" disease after a note sent by kids' day care. The name made me wonder what is the first, second, third and fourth diseases.

Fifth disease is spread by contact with respiratory secretions and hand-to-hand contact. The illness is contagious in the week before the skin rash appears. Once the rash appears, the person infected with parvovirus is no longer considered contagious. The skin rash can be enhanced by sunlight, heat, exercise, fever or emotional stress.

There is no complication in normally healthy children and no treatment is required for infected children. Parvovirus infection may give no sign or symptom in some children and adults. Tylenol (acetaminophen) may be given to ones who have fever or joint discomfort. It is a mild disease in healthy adults and children, however, it can causes significant harm to the unborn baby if a pregnant woman is infected in some cases. Parvovirus infection also causes more serious harm to people with certain anemia or with a compromised immune system.