Fifths virus

In rare cases, a fetus whose mother has contracted parvovirus B19 can develop severe anemia. This condition makes it difficult for the developing fetus to make red blood cells RBCs , and it could lead to miscarriage. Miscarriage caused by fifth disease is not common. Less than 5 percent of pregnant women who contract fifth disease will lose their fetus. Miscarriage usually occurs in the first trimester, or first three months , of pregnancy. However, your doctor will likely request additional monitoring.

This may include:. Mothers who are diagnosed with fifth disease can transmit the virus to their developing fetus. If this happens, the baby could develop severe anemia. However, this is rare. Babies with anemia caused by fifth disease may require a blood transfusion. In some cases, condition could cause stillbirth or miscarriage. The doctor will monitor the mother and fetus throughout the pregnancy. The baby will likely receive additional medical care after delivery, including a blood transfusion if necessary.

Fifth disease is contagious in the earliest phase of the infection, before telltale symptoms like a rash appear. These fluids are commonly produced with a runny nose and sneezing, which are early symptoms of fifth disease.

This is why fifth disease can be transmitted so easily and so rapidly. Rashes typically appear two to three weeks after exposure to the virus. Fifth disease has no long-term consequences for most people. This is because fifth disease can stop your body from producing RBCs, which can reduce the amount of oxygen that your tissue gets. This is especially likely in people with sickle cell anemia. See a doctor right away if you have sickle cell anemia and think you may have been exposed to fifth disease.

It can be dangerous if you develop the condition during pregnancy. Fifth disease can harm your developing fetus if they develop a severe form of anemia called hemolytic anemia. It can lead to a condition called hydrops fetalis.

Your doctor may recommend an intrauterine transfusion via cordocentesis. According to the March of Dimes , other pregnancy-related complications may include:. Since fifth disease is usually transmitted from one person to another through airborne secretions, try to minimize contact with people who are:. Washing your hands frequently can also help reduce the chances of contracting fifth disease. Roseola , also known as sixth disease, is a viral illness most commonly caused by human herpesvirus 6 HHV About 90 percent of cases of sixth disease are in children younger than two years old.

It may last for three to five days. After the fever subsides, the telltale rash will develop across the trunk and often up to the face and out to the extremities. The rash is pink or red in color, bumpy and blotchy-looking. Section Navigation. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Syndicate. Minus Related Pages. This is not very common but can be serious for people with weakened immune systems sickle cell disease or similar long-lasting anemia.

Fifth disease commonly affects children. Also called erythema infectiosum, it's caused by parvovirus B It's especially common in kids ages 5 to Fifth disease causes a distinctive red rash on the face that makes a child appear to have a "slapped cheek.

It usually lasts 1 to 3 weeks. In older kids and adults, fifth disease can cause joint swelling and pain that can last from weeks to months and, very rarely, years. Fifth disease begins with a low fever , headache, and mild cold-like symptoms like a stuffy or runny nose.

These symptoms pass, and the illness seems to be gone until the rash appears a few days later. Kids younger than 10 are most likely to get the rash. The bright red rash usually starts on the face. Then, red blotches usually lighter in color appear on the trunk, arms, and legs. Adults can get fifth disease too, but most infections are in children. Symptoms usually show up 4 to 14 days after a child is exposed to the disease.

About 4 in 5 infected children have very mild symptoms for about a week before getting the rash. About 1 in 5 will have no symptoms at all before the rash appears. Children are most contagious before the rash occurs, before they know they have the disease. The symptoms of fifth disease can be like other health conditions. Make sure your child sees his or her healthcare provider for a diagnosis. The healthcare provider will ask about your child's symptoms and health history.

He or she will give your child a physical exam. The physical exam will include inspecting the rash. The rash is unique to fifth disease, and may be enough to diagnose your child. In some cases, your child may also have blood tests. It will also depend on how severe the condition is.

Because it is caused by a virus, antibiotics will not help your child.