Is Fifth disease contagious? And how is it transmitted?

Yes, Fifth disease, also known as erythema infectiosum or parvovirus B19 infection, is a contagious viral illness that spreads from person to person [1]. It is caused by the parvovirus B19 virus, which infects only humans and is different from the types of parvovirus that affect pets [1].

Fifth disease is most contagious during the early stages of infection, when symptoms are typically mild, resembling a cold or fever [1]. Once the rash or joint pain appears, a person is significantly less likely to be contagious [1].

How is Fifth disease transmitted?

Parvovirus B19 is transmitted primarily through several methods:

• Respiratory droplets: The virus spreads through droplets released from the nose, mouth, or throat when an infected person coughs or sneezes [1].
• Indirect contact: The virus can be transmitted by touching a surface contaminated with the virus and then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth [1].
• Blood and blood products: In rare cases, the virus can be transmitted through blood or blood products [1].
• Mother-to-fetus: The virus can be transmitted from an infected pregnant mother to her fetus during pregnancy [1].

Symptoms of Fifth disease

About 2 out of every 10 people infected with parvovirus B19 show no symptoms [1]. However, most people who do develop symptoms experience mild ones, including:

• Fever [1]
• Headache [1]
• Cough and sore throat [1]
• Runny nose [2]
• Joint pain, which is more common in adults, especially women [2]
• A bright red rash on the cheeks, sometimes known as "slapped-cheek rash," which is most common in children [1]. This rash may later spread to the arms, legs, chest, back, and buttocks [1].

The rash usually appears a few days after the onset of other initial symptoms [1].

Risks of Fifth disease during pregnancy

If a pregnant woman is infected with parvovirus B19, the virus can be transmitted to the fetus [1]. Although most infections during pregnancy do not affect the pregnancy or the fetus, infection early in pregnancy may slightly increase the risk of miscarriage and can cause blood, heart, or liver problems in the fetus [3]. If you are pregnant and notice signs of Fifth disease, such as a new rash or joint pain, or if you have been exposed to someone who is infected, you should contact your healthcare provider [3]. Your doctor may recommend additional prenatal visits, blood tests, and ultrasounds to monitor the condition [3].

For more information about Fifth disease, you can visit Fifth Disease (Erythema Infectiosum): Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Risks During Pregnancy (Arabic).

Prevention tips

There is no specific vaccine to prevent Fifth disease [1]. However, you can take certain measures to help protect yourself and others:

• Wash hands frequently with soap and water [1].
• Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing [1].
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands [1].
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick [1].
• Stay home when feeling ill [1].

Most people who contract Fifth disease develop immunity to the virus after recovery [1].

Medical references

• Fifth Disease
• About Parvovirus B19
• Parvovirus B19 in Pregnancy