How long fifths disease last

This is called polyarthropathy syndrome. It is more common in adults, especially women. Some adults with fifth disease may only have painful joints, usually in the hands, feet, or knees, and no other symptoms. The joint pain usually lasts 1 to 3 weeks, but it can last for months or longer. It usually goes away without any long-term problems. Top of Page. Fifth disease is usually mild for children and adults who are otherwise healthy.

But for some people, parvovirus B19 infection can cause serious health complications, such as chronic anemia that requires medical treatment. You may be at risk for serious complications from fifth disease if you have a weakened immune system caused by leukemia, cancer, organ transplants, or HIV infection. Parvovirus B19—which causes fifth disease—spreads through respiratory secretions, such as saliva, sputum, or nasal mucus, when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

After you get the rash you are not likely to be contagious, so it is usually safe for you or your child to go back to work or school. People with fifth disease who have weakened immune systems may be contagious for a longer amount of time. Parvovirus B19 can also spread through blood or blood products. Your child may not even feel sick.

Most people who had fifth disease as a child will not get it again. Pregnant women who are not immune usually do not have serious complications after being exposed to others with fifth disease.

In most cases, these babies will not have any problems. However, sometimes a baby will develop severe anemia. Last updated: November What are the symptoms of fifth disease? There may be no symptoms or only mild symptoms. It may get better or worse during this time. Your child's healthcare provider may do a blood test to check for the virus.

However, it is usually diagnosed by the appearance of the distinctive rash. In some cases, tests may be done to rule out other health problems. Fifth disease needs no treatment. It will go away on its own. To help your child feel better until it does:. Using aspirin in children could cause a serious condition called Reye syndrome. Once your child develops the rash, he or she is no longer contagious and may go school or day care.

A child who still has a fever should not go to school or daycare. Fifth disease is a mild illness caused by a virus called parvovirus B It is rarely serious. The disease occurs most often during the late winter and early spring in children between the ages of 4 and However, older children and adults, especially females, can get it. Fifth disease is contagious spread from person to person in the early stages before symptoms appear.

Once the rash appears, it is no longer contagious. It is spread by coughing, sneezing or by touching secretions from the nose and mouth of an infected person.