• Fifth Disease is an infection caused by the virus Parvovirus B19.
• Infection from this virus does not cause serious illness in most adults and children, however, it can be a concern for people with blood disorders, problems with their immune system and for pregnant women.
• The risk of contracting Fifth Disease is small as half of adults are already immune to this infection.
• There is a slight risk of miscarriage in pregnant women who contract Fifth Disease. If you are pregnant and think you may have been exposed to Fifth Disease, consult your doctor.

Signs and Symptoms

• Fifth Disease begins with a mild illness that may result in a fever, tiredness, muscle aches and a headache.
• A few days later a very red rash appears on the infected person’s face- thus the name “slapped cheek disease”. 
• A lacey rash also appears on the infected person’s body.  This rash can last for days to weeks and can come and go. 
• Adults may develop joint pain, which lasts a few weeks. 

How Fifth Disease is spread

• Through secretions of the nose and mouth by sneezing and coughing or by touching contaminated articles (such as a used facial tissue and then touching your own mouth or nose).
• A person with Fifth Disease can spread the infection to others before the rash develops - by the time the rash appears it is no longer contagious. 
• Children with Fifth Disease can return to school and will not spread the infection to others after the rash appears. 
• About half of all adults have had Fifth Disease and will not develop the infection again.

Preventing the spread

• Practice good hand washing.
• Cover nose and mouth while coughing and sneezing with a tissue or your sleeve – not your hands.
• Do not share eating utensils.

For more information:

• Contact the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit at 474-1400 or 1-800-563-2808 to speak to a Public Health Nurse