Fifth Disease Treatment

For people with fifth disease, treatment usually involves managing their symptoms while their body fights the virus. Treatment of fifth disease often includes getting rest and taking acetaminophen or ibuprofen for fever and body aches. For the few people that develop severe anemia as a result of fifth disease, treatment may include hospitalization and blood transfusions.

Information on Fifth Disease

Treating Fifth Disease: An Overview

There is no treatment that will kill the virus that causes fifth disease (parvovirus B19); therefore, fifth disease treatment goals focus on treating fifth disease symptoms as the body fights the parvovirus. Fortunately, fifth disease is usually a mild illness.

Fifth Disease Treatment for Fever and Body Aches

For fever and body aches, a person can take acetaminophen (Tylenol^®) or ibuprofen (marketed as Advil^®, Motrin^®, Nuprin^®, and others). If a person under 20, he or she should not take aspirin unless the doctor approves it. In children and teens, aspirin taken for viral illnesses has been associated with the potentially fatal disease, Reye's syndrome.

Treatment for Joint Pain and Swelling

Joint pain and swelling in adults usually gets better without long-term disability. Treatment for joint pain and swelling can include:

Rest
Limiting activities to a minimum
Taking medicines (such as aspirin or ibuprofen) to relieve symptoms.

Fifth Disease Treatment for More Serious Symptoms

The few people develop severe anemia as the result of parvovirus B19 infection may need to be hospitalized and receive blood transfusions. People with immune system problems may need special medical care, including treatment with immune globulin (helps the body fight viruses), to help their bodies recover from the infection.