Fifth Disease

Question: Fifth Disease? My daughter just came home from school and the nurse told her she has fifth disease. She no longer has the flu-like symptoms and now has the rash. After doing some research online its something that cannot be treated with medicine. Does anyone have any tips to help her be more comfortable?

Answer: Just the usual course of tylenol and / or motrin, alternating of course, for any pain or fever that she may have. If she is itchy at all then try giving her an oatmeal bath. This will sooth the skin irritation.

Question: How long does the rash from fifth disease come and go? My 2 year old had fifth disease three weeks ago. Yesterday we were out in the heat for about half an hour and she got a rash that looks like what she had with fifth disease. It's on her arms, legs and back, raised red bumps. I've heard that the rash from fifth disease comes and goes, but for how long? I'm just trying to figure out if this is the same rash or something new that we need to worry about.

Answer: My daughter had it come and go for several weeks (Perhaps 3-4) if it keeps happening in say 7 days call the MD just to be sure it's linked. I am sure it is (strange how the rash keeps returning)..

Question: How does the virus B19 (fifth disease) infect other cells? How does one catch this virus? B19 is commonly known as fifth disease or slapped-cheek syndrome. How does the virus B19 infect the other cells in the body? How does one catch this virus?

Answer: B19 is the human strain of the Parvovirus and reproduces in a similar way inside a body. Basically, B19 enters the host cell integrates itself into the nucleus of the host cell and hijacks the transcription/translation system to produce more copies of itself. The virus copies are stored in the cytoplasm of the host cell, when the host cell dies after the incubation period, the virus initiates an Attack of the Clones. This process repeats itself until either the immune system eliminates all traces of the virus or the infected victim dies. According the CDC the B19 virus spreads via "respiratory secretions (e.g., saliva, sputum, or nasal mucus)" which makes it very similar to influenza.

Question: How long does Fifth disease last? I am an adult with fifth disease. I woke up with severe arthritic pain one week ago. I've been struggling with the pain for the entire week. Some days are better than others, but regular activities are hindered daily. I am very tired all the time, and I want to know when I can expect this to subside. It's awful. Any personal experiences out there?

Answer: The rash on children lasts for about two weeks. I don't know about adults. Sorry

Question: Can an adult pass fifth disease to another adult? My son got fifth disease from school, he passed it to my husband, ache joints etc. My son is better but can my husband pass it to another adult? Thanks

Answer: No, it's pretty unlikely to be transmissible from adult to adult.

Question: What five things make up fifth disease? I have fifth disease and I want to know what it consists of.

Answer: It's not made up of 5 things. The name came from a time where there were several major childhood rashes, and the "fifth" one on the list was parvovirus, otherwise known as "slapped cheeks disease" or "Fifth Disease" or "erythema infectiosum." Multiple names for the same thing. There's a pretty good description of it on Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parvovirus_… If you want a list of the other rashes on the list (there are 6 total), check this site: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exanthem

Question: When will my body be clear of Fifth Disease? I want to start ttc!? My husband and I were planning to start trying for #2 this summer, but I contracted the Fifth Disease virus. I had joint pain symptoms at the end of April, and off-and-on aches that I thought might be related within the last few weeks. I got a blood test done last week and the results came back that I am positive for a "recent" infection. My question is, how long do I need to wait to start ttc? My dr. couldn't seem to tell me a specific time frame; well, he said to wait a month, but didn't indicate I needed another blood test at that time. Should I request one? I definitely want to make sure I am past this virus at that point, but I am worried that it is going to last longer than that. After all, I have had symptoms already for a month, and I read online that the joint pain can sometimes last months or even years, in women. Does anyone have any experience with a similar situation? Thanks for your responses!

Answer: 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. Your doctor may consider ordering a blood test to check for antibodies. About 50 percent of adults have had the infection, have antibodies to the virus, and are immune. These antibodies prevent infection for you and your unborn baby. If you suspect or know you’ve been exposed to the virus, contact your health care provider. She can perform a blood test to see whether or not the parvovirus is present in your blood system. If the virus is present, your health care provider may decide to monitor you more closely. Good luck

Question: Has anyone been exposed to fifth disease in pregnancy? I am 21 weeks pregnant and was informed yesterday that I was exposed to fifth disease! I called my OBGYN and went in for blood work yesterday! My results are not in yet but I just want to prepare myself for anything! Has anyone had to deal with this and what should I expect! Especially common in kids between the ages of 5 and 15, fifth disease typically produces a distinctive red rash on the face that makes the child appear to have a "slapped cheek." The rash then spreads to the trunk, arms, and legs. Fifth disease is actually just a viral illness that most kids recover from quickly and without complications! Parvovirus B19 spreads easily from person to person in fluids from the nose, mouth, and throat of someone with the infection Parvovirus B19 infection during pregnancy may cause problems for the fetus. Some fetuses may develop severe anemia if the mother is infected while pregnant — especially if the infection occurs during the first half of the pregnancy. In some cases, this anemia is so severe that the fetus doesn't survive. Fortunately, about half of all pregnant women are immune from having had a previous infection with parvovirus. Serious problems occur in less than 5% of women who become infected during pregnancy

Answer: I would not worry about it since you are not in you first trimester.. Also most of us have been exposed to it and we never knew we were. When I was pregnant in my first trimester my daughter and son got it and I was really worried, my doctor put me at ease by telling me that I was most likely exposed to it already and he was correct, I was immune. He told me if I was in my second trimester there is no danger. So just relax and wait for the test results I am sure everything will be okay. Good luck

Question: Can me and my step son be passing the fifth disease back and forth? My step son and I have this rash. This is the second time in a month we have both had rashes. They say its the fifth disease. I was in the hospital two weeks ago because of it. And now he has it again and today I see that im getting it on my arm and face. He has it on his face and arms.But I read that once you get the fifth disease that you usually don't get it again. Could we be passing it back an fourth and keeping it going? We are the only ones in the house that is getting it. We both went to another doctor today and he said it was an allergic reaction to something. Thanks for the answer and suggestions!

Answer: It sounds like a second illness. Erythema infectiosum (5th) is usually a "once and done" viral disease. I would suggest that you go back to your doctor and have the rash looked at again (both of you at the same time) to make sure you do not have another illness that you are spreading back and forth. You should not be able to pass 5th back and forth.

Question: I was exposed to fifth disease by my sister. She got her rash last Sunday. Can it be spread by drool? My family and I were exposed to Fifth Disease. My sister was drooling all over us... is it 100% likely we will get the virus too?

Answer: It can be spread by drool and other body fluids. In households where a child has fifth disease, another family member who hasn't previously had parvovirus B19 (the virus that causes fifth disease) has about a 50% chance of also getting the infection. Once she has the rash, though, the virus is no longer contagious. It's usually nothing to worry about! :) Check the website http://kidshealth.org/parent/infections/… they have tons of info on fifth disease that will hopefully help ease any worries you have. :)