You. Your Pregnancy. Your Baby.
Contents
Community
Online Store

Fifth disease (parovirus B19)

Fifth disease, is a mild, moderately contagious virus that causes a body rash and arthritis, most frequently in the hands.

Technically called parovirus B19, it was the fifth disease discovered that caused a body rash. Twenty percent (1 in 5) of the infections are asymptomatic. An airborne infection, it is easily transmitted through groups such as classrooms and daycare centers. There is no treatment.

Symptoms and diagnosis of Fifth disease

Looking like a slap to the body, the rash causes a reddening of the skin. The rash may fade then return, lasting anywhere from two weeks to a month.

How Fifth disease is transmitted

No results found. Click here for amazon.com

Parovirus B19 is an airborne virus, transmitted by coming into close proximity with an infected person or through hand-to-mouth contact. The risk of infection is low. About half of all pregnant women are already immune to Fifth disease. Casual exposure to infected children will only result in five percent (1 in 20) women catching Fifth disease. Those in high risk environments, such as teachers, have a twenty percent (1 in 5) chance of developing Fifth disease during epidemics. Those most at risk with a fifty percent chance of infection are mothers whose children have the disease.

How Fifth disease will affect pregnancy

If you develop Fifth disease during your pregnancy, your doctor's greatest concern may be the production of red blood cellsA concave disk containing hemoglobin surrounded by a lipoid membrane. It is the major cellular element of the circulating blood and it serves primarily to transport oxygen. The number of red blood cells is about 4 and 4.5 million per cubic millimeter in women (4.5 and 5 million per cubic millimeter in men).
The average lifespan of a red blood cell is between 110 and 115 days after which it is removed from the bloodstream. New red blood cells are produced at about the rate of 1% daily to keep levels constant. Red blood cells originate in the marrow of long bones. Also called erythrocytes.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions. in both your body and that of your baby. The risk of an infected mother transmitting the disease to her baby during pregnancy is twenty percent (1 in 5). Fifth disease is not responsible for birth defects, but approximately ten percent (1 in 10) maternal infections result in spontaneous abortion, which usually occur between week ten and week twenty.

Treating Fifth disease during pregnancy

If you are concerned that you may have been exposed to Fifth disease and have contracted the virus you should contact your doctor. A simple blood test will be administered to determine whether you have had the virus and have developed immunity. If there is reason to suspect that you may become infected, your doctor will monitor your pregnancy to ensure your baby's health and development.


  •  Email a Friend
  •  Printer Friendly
Health & Fitness