Question 1

is fifth disease ever fatal to anyone?

Accepted Answer

Answer: The biggest threat is to the fetus if a pregnant woman contracts the disease, because it is passed through he placenta 50% of the time and if so, it is 100% fatal to the fetus. Also, those who are immunocompromised , such as organ transplant patients, can get aplastic anemia.

Question 2

is fifth disease fatal for fetuses?

Accepted Answer

Usually not: Fatality is low, 2-6%.  Infected fetus can develop hydrops fetalis(severe edema), growth retardation, and congenital anemia.

Question 3

as an adult, can i catch fifth disease?

Accepted Answer

Certainly yes: Erythema infectiosum, commonly known as fifth disease, is most often a trivial childhood illness.  However, if an adult who never had it before catches this viral illness, it can be way more serious. Prolonged arthritis is one of well known complications. Infected pregnant woman passes the virus to her baby resulting in hydrops fetalis/congenital anemia.

Question 4

is it possible to get fifth disease twice?

Accepted Answer

Unlikely: The immunity gained by the initial infection is considered lifelong. It would be more likely that a similar viral skin rash was mistaken as fifth's

Question 5

can you have fifth disease for the second time?

Accepted Answer

No: The one virus that causes this pattern illness confers permanent immunity.Occasionally, someone will be labeled as 5th disease when it is really something else. We rarely ever get blood work that would confirm the diagnosis.Since some other viral exanthem may share some similar features, miss-labeling does occur.

Question 6

are there many complications with fifth disease?

Accepted Answer

No: Kids get a rash, mild fever, and/or mild cold symptoms. Adults get a rash, some joint aches, and/or joint swelling. Infected persons, with or without symptoms, mostly recover without complications and have immunity from re-infection. Complications can occur in persons with chronic anemia or immunosuppression. Occasionally, a woman infected in her first trimester may miscarry or have fetal anemia.

Question 7

is fifth disease contagious?

Accepted Answer

Yes: People who get parvovirus b19 infection can have no symptoms or can get "fifth disease". Kids get a rash, mild fever, and/or mild cold symptoms. Adults get a rash, some joint aches, and/or joint swelling. Infected persons, with or without symptoms, mostly recover without complications and have immunity against re-infection. The virus is spread from person to person just like colds are spread.

Question 8

can fifth disease be harmful to my toddler?

Accepted Answer

Not generally: Once the rash of fifth disease is present, children are no longer contagious. The rash may return over the following weeks-months with exercise or sunlight but is not worrisome. Some children may get joint pains that usually resolve in 2-4 weeks without long term complications. Other than not feeling well, it is generally not a harmful disease.

Question 9

how long is my child contagious with fifth disease?

Accepted Answer

Until after the rash: Fifth disease, caused by parvovirus b19, is contagious from before symptoms begin, until the rash appears. When the rash appears, the patient is getting well, and only a little contagious (unknown exactly "how contagious"). Kids are allowed to return to school a couple of days after the rash appears.

Question 10

with fifth disease could one still  swim in chlorine?

Accepted Answer

Yes and no: If you bean a regular pool, it would be fine. If you are doing some ritual in highly chlorinated water i would avoid it for everybody. The fumes would send you all to the hospital.

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Is fifth disease ever fatal to anyone

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Is fifth disease ever fatal to anyone?

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Is fifth disease fatal for fetuses?

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As an adult, can i catch fifth disease?

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Is it possible to get fifth disease twice?

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Can you have fifth disease for the second time?

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Are there many complications with fifth disease?

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Is fifth disease contagious?

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Can fifth disease be harmful to my toddler?

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How long is my child contagious with fifth disease?

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With fifth disease could one still swim in chlorine?

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