<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:14px;">Fifth disease is an illness caused by a virus that leads to a rash on the cheeks, arms, and legs.</span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><b>Causes</b></span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:14px;">Fifth disease is caused by human parvovirus B19. It often affects preschoolers or school-age children during the spring. The disease is spread by contact with&nbsp;respiratory&nbsp;secretions.</span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:14px;">The first sign of the disease is usually bright red cheeks, which look as though the child has been recently slapped on both sides of the face. Following this, a rash appears on the arms and legs and middle of the body. The rash fades from the center outwards, giving it a lacy appearance. Over a period of 1 to 2 weeks, the rash completely goes away.</span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:14px;">Fifth disease is also sometimes associated with fever.</span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><img src="https://www.zdrav.kz/images/refs/A-23.jpg" /></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:14px;">If a pregnant woman becomes infected with parvovirus B19, it can cause significant harm to her unborn baby. Any pregnant woman who believes that she may have been in contact with a person who has this virus should talk to her health care provider.</span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:14px;">Parvovirus B19 is also thought to cause other diseases, including an infectious form of arthritis.</span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:14px;">The majority of adults seem to have antibodies to parvovirus B19 in their bodies. This indicates that most people have been exposed to the virus, and also suggests that many infections go unnoticed.</span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><b>Symptoms</b></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:14px;">Rash</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">First appears on the cheeks, often looks like &quot;slapped cheeks&quot;</span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:14px;">Spreads to the arms and legs about 1 day later, often has a &quot;lacy&quot; appearance</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:14px;">Fever</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:14px;">Joint pain</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:14px;">Temporary&nbsp;anemia&nbsp;-- this is only serious if the patient has an immune system problem and some other, existing form of anemia</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Exams and tests</strong></span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:14px;">Fifth disease causes a very distinct rash. Your health care provider will examine the appearance and pattern of the rash. This is usually all that is needed to make a diagnosis.</span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:14px;">Blood tests that look for antibodies against parvovirus B19 may indicate infection. However, these tests are usually not needed, although they may be helpful in the diagnosis of aplastic crisis and persistent anemia.</span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:14px;">Testing may also be done when there is a question of whether a pregnant woman has been exposed to the virus.</span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Treatment</strong></span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:14px;">No treatment is usually required for fifth disease in children. If fever or joint discomfort is present, then oral acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) may be given.</span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Outlook (prognosis)</strong></span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:14px;">Since this is a mild and generally&nbsp;benign&nbsp;viral infection, complete recovery can be expected.</span></span></p>
