Fifth Disease

Most people have never heard of fifth disease, yet, based on the presence of antibodies in the blood, 50 to 60 percent of all adults had the disease as children. Part of a group of six childhood diseases, fifth disease is caused by the human parvovirus B19, which belongs to the Parvoviridae virus family. For most patients, the first symptoms of the disease are mild and may include a fever, muscle aches, headaches, and lethargy. After about a week, a red rash develops on the cheeks, giving the appearance of someone who has been slapped on both cheeks. Usually a red or pink rash then spreads to the rest of the body before it fades away within five or six weeks. Fifth Disease describes the history, diagnosis, symptoms, treatment, and prevention of fifth disease, and the latest research.

Chapters and topics include:

• The History of Fifth Disease
• Parvovirus B19
• Symptoms
• Diagnostic Methods
• Treatment
• Prevention
• Vaccines and Current Research