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Complications of Fifth Disease in Adults

Fifth disease is a common childhood illness that is characterized by a rash on the face that is often referred to as a "slapped cheek" rash. If adults didn't have the disease as children they are most likely immune. For those adults who never had the disease or are not immune to it, there can be rare complications to getting the disease.

  1. Symptoms

    • Adults with fifth disease will experience a low-grade fever, chills, body aches and joint pain or swelling and will feel weak and tired. Unfortunately, people are contagious before the symptoms are noticeable.

    How Is It Transmitted

    • Fifth disease is transmitted by direct contact with respiratory secretions of someone who is infected with the parvovirus B19 which causes fifth disease.

    Highest Risk of Complications

    • Those at highest risk of developing complications from fifth disease include pregnant women and their unborn babies, those who have anemia, leukemia, cancer, immune deficiencies, HIV and recent organ transplant recipients.

    What Can Happen

    • A pregnant woman can miscarry or her baby can develop severe anemia. Anyone with a compromised immune system is at risk for worsening symptoms of their condition due to the fifth disease infection.

    Diagnosis

    • Since the symptoms of fifth disease in adults mimic other diseases, a blood test is the best way to confirm the parvovirus B19 which causes the disease.

    Considerations

    • Severe complications are extremely rare but are possible.

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