Fifth disease is an illness that is typically characterized by a rash that resembles a slapped cheek. Most commonly found in children, fifth disease is caused by parvovirus B19, a virus that is most likely transmitted through direct contact with respiratory secretions (saliva, sputum, or nasal mucus) of infected people. Some symptoms of fifth disease that can appear before the rash include low-grade fever, chills, and body aches. There is no treatment to kill the virus that causes fifth disease. Fortunately, fifth disease is usually a mild illness among children and adults who are otherwise healthy.
Fifth disease is a mild illness, caused by
parvovirus B19, that occurs most commonly in children. Fifth disease is commonly characterized by a rash on the face that resembles a slapped cheek.
Fifth disease is so named because in the late nineteenth century, it was recognized as the fifth of six exanthems of childhood. An exanthem is a widespread rash that is usually accompanied by such things as fever, body aches, and a headache. Exanthems can be caused by a number of things, including infections with viruses, and medicines such as antibiotics.
Fifth Disease and Parvovirus
Parvovirus B19 is a virus that commonly infects humans. About 50 percent of all adults have been infected sometime during childhood or adolescence. Parvovirus B19 is a small, single-stranded DNA virus that only infects humans.
A parvovirus can cause a variety of illnesses, including:
- Fifth disease
- Arthropathy (disease of a joint)
- Transient aplastic crisis (temporary dysfunction of an organ)
- Chronic anemia (deficiency of red blood cells)
- Fetal infection.
Many of these conditions occur because parvovirus B19 causes problems with bone marrow cells.
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