Also called: Also called: Erythema infectiosum
Fifth disease is a viral infection caused by parvovirus B19. The virus only infects humans - it's not the same parvovirus that you vaccinate your dog or cat against. Fifth disease mostly affects children. Symptoms can include a low fever, cold symptoms and a red rash on the cheeks, arms, legs and trunk. Adults who get it might also have joint pain and swelling.
It is easy to catch fifth disease. Infected people have the virus in their saliva and mucus. You can get it when you come into contact with those fluids. Frequently washing your hands might help prevent getting the virus. Most people become immune to the virus after having it once.
Fifth disease is usually mild and goes away on its own. However, it can be serious if you
- Are pregnant
- Are anemic
- Have cancer or a weak immune system
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Fifth Disease (Erythema Infectiosum)(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/parent/infections/bacterial_viral/fifth.html
Also available in Spanish http://kidshealth.org/parent/en_espanol/infecciones/fifth_esp.html
- Fifth Disease (Erythema Infectiosum)(Logical Images) - http://www.visualdxhealth.com/child/erythemaInfectiosumFifthDisease.htm
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Parvovirus B19 (Fifth Disease)(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/revb/respiratory/parvo_b19.htm
Also available in Spanish http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/revb/respiratory/parvo_b19_sp.htm
- Parvovirus Infection(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/parvovirus-infection/DS00437/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print
- Parvovirus B19 Infection (Fifth Disease) and Pregnancy(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/revb/respiratory/B19&preg.htm
- Article: Tissue persistence of parvovirus B19 genotypes in asymptomatic persons. - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18814251&tool=MedlinePlus
- Article: Association of parvovirus B19 infection and Hashimoto's thyroiditis in children. - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18788945&tool=MedlinePlus
- Article: Detection of cytomegalovirus, parvovirus B19 and herpes simplex viruses in... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18712818&tool=MedlinePlus
- Fifth Disease -- see more articles - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=search&db=pubmed&term=(erythema+infectiosum[majr]+OR+parvovirus+b19,human[majr])+AND+humans[mh]+AND+english[la]+NOT+(letter[pt]+OR+editorial[pt])&doptcmdl=summary&cmd_current=Limits&pmfilter_EDatLimit=last+1+Year&tool=MedlinePlus
- Fifth Disease - http://vsearch.nlm.nih.gov/vivisimo/cgi-bin/query-meta?v:project=medlineplus&binning-state=group%3d%3dMedical%20Encyclopedia&query=Fifth+Disease
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - http://www.cdc.gov/
Also available in Spanish http://www.cdc.gov/spanish/
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National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
- http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/
- Other In Utero TORCH Infections(Children's Hospital Boston) - http://www.childrenshospital.org/az/Site474/mainpageS474P0.html
- Children and Teenagers - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/childrenandteenagers.html
- Infections - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/infections.html
- Skin, Hair and Nails - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/skinhairandnails.html
The primary NIH organization for research on Fifth Disease is the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases - http://www.niaid.nih.gov/