Infectious Diseases, Prevention and Control

Fifth Disease

Fifth disease is a mellow rash infection produce by parvovirus B19. This disease is also called as erythema infectiosum. It is mostly common in children than adults.  A person commonly gets sick with fifth disease within four to 14 days after getting infected with parvovirus B19. The major symptoms of fifth disease are usually mellow and may involve fever, running nose, and headache. This disease is contagious because the rash is due to an immune system reaction that happens after the infection has passed. Anyone with fifth disease is most communicable before the rash appears. This disease is caused by a virus, so it can't be treated with antibiotics. In most cases, it is a mild illness that clears up on its own and no medicine is needed.