Fifth disease symptoms are the first signs of infection and appear usually 4 to 21 days after your child has been exposed to the parvovirus B19. They include a rash that looks like the mark left by a slap and itchy joints and bones.
Symptoms for children are mild and often go away with rest at home. Your doctor may prescribe acetaminophen (Tylenol) to help with fever and other aches or pains. You can also use a cold or cough medicine if your child has a runny nose and sneezing.
If your child has a blood disorder or a weak immune system, they are more likely to get sick from fifth disease. This is because parvovirus B19 can cause severe anemia, which affects red blood cells. This puts your child at risk for serious complications if they are infected with the virus.
In pregnant women, the rash and other fifth disease symptoms can be signs that the fetus is infected with the parvovirus. If your child is a woman, your doctor will do an ultrasound or a blood test to check the baby’s red blood cell count and look for any abnormalities that could be caused by the virus.
You can take steps to prevent the spread of fifth disease in school and in child care. This includes handwashing and carefully disposing of tissues that your child uses to wipe their noses and mouths. You should also keep your child from sharing any food or drinks with other people and make sure that surfaces and objects they come in contact with are clean and sanitized.
The rash appears on the cheeks and usually lasts about 10 days before it goes away. It may leave behind a lacelike pattern as it fades. It is usually itchy but doesn’t usually hurt.
Your child will start to feel better once the rash disappears and she has no fever. She will be able to return to school or child care.
If your child has a red, swollen rash, it is important to tell your doctor so that she can diagnose the illness as fifth disease and get treatment. If your child has a blood disorder or has had a weak immune system, they may need special medications to boost their red blood cell count.
Depending on your child’s age, the fever and rash of fifth disease can be treated with over-the-counter (OTC) fever and cold medicines or with acetaminophen (Tylenol). Your doctor can prescribe ibuprofen (Advil) to relieve the fever and joint pain.
Your doctor can also prescribe a long-acting antihistamine for your child’s fever and rash. If your child has a blood disorder, she should not have antihistamines during fifth disease because they can be dangerous to her red blood cells.
In a small number of children, and in some adults, parvovirus arthritis can be diagnosed. These painful, stiff joints are more common in women than men. In most cases, they go away with a few weeks of rest and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication, such as ibuprofen or naproxen sodium. Your doctor can prescribe other drugs in rare situations to treat the arthritis.
