Our Fifth disease Main Article provides a comprehensive look at the who, what, when and how of Fifth disease

Definition of Fifth disease

Parenting Principles Slideshow Parenting and Healthy Eating Slideshow Parenting - Fitness and Exercise Slideshow

Fifth disease: An oddly named disease caused by a virus called parvovirus B 19. (In the pre-vaccination era, fifth disease was frequently the "fifth disease" that a child contracted.) . Symptoms include low-grade fever, fatigue, a "slapped cheeks rash," and a rash over the whole body.

While the illness is mild in most children, some children with immune deficiency (such as those with AIDS or leukemia) or with certain blood disorders (such as sickle cell anemia or hemolytic anemia) may become seriously ill with fifth disease. Parvovirus B19 can temporarily decrease or halt the body's production of red blood cells, causing anemia.

Moreover, fifth disease is of consequence in many adults. About 80% of adults with fifth disease have joint aches and pains (arthritis) which may become long-term with stiffness in the morning, redness and swelling of the same joints on both sides of the body (a "symmetrical" arthritis), most commonly involving the knees, fingers, and wrists.

Pregnant women (who have not previously had the illness) should avoid contact with patients who have fifth disease. The fifth disease virus can infect the fetus prior to birth. And, while no birth defects have been reported as a result of fifth disease, it can cause the death of the unborn fetus. The risk of fetal death is 5-10% if the mother becomes infected.

Fifth disease is also known as erythema infectiosum. For more information, read the article on Fifth Disease.

Suggested Reading by Our Doctors

• Roseola - Read about roseola (sixth disease) causes (virus), symptoms and signs (fever, rash) and treatment. Roseola infantum is a mildly contagious illness most common in childhood.
• Measles - Learn measles (rubeola) causes, signs and symptoms (rash, fever, Koplik spots), transmission facts and disease prevention (measles, mumps and rubella vaccination).
• Thrombocytopenia (Low Platelet Count) - Learn about thrombocytopenia, a decreased number of platelets in the blood. There are many causes of thrombocytopenia such as decreased platelet production, increased platelet destruction or consumption, or increased splenic sequestration.

Read more Fifth Disease related articles »

Latest Medical News

• Boomers Doomed to Disability?
• Gender Divorce Gap After Illness Strikes
• Cigarette Smoking's Decline Levels Off
• 22 Million Cases of Swine Flu in U.S.