Can you get 5th disease twice

You can prevent your child from getting it by helping him or her practice good hygiene habits. These include:. Most cases of fifth disease are mild. It usually goes away without treatment. You can treat fever and flu symptoms in your child with acetaminophen brand name: Tylenol. Adults who have joint pain or swelling may need to rest and restrict activity.

They may want to take medicines like acetaminophen brand name: Tylenol or ibuprofen brand names: Advil or Motrin for the pain. Most children and adults who get fifth disease recover completely and have no complications. But fifth disease can cause problems in certain cases:. This article was contributed by: familydoctor. This information provides a general overview and may not apply to everyone. Talk to your family doctor to find out if this information applies to you and to get more information on this subject.

Pneumococcal disease is caused by bacteria. It can lead to infections in the lungs, blood, and brain. The vaccine…. Osgood-Schlatter disease is one of the most common causes of knee pain in young children and athletes. It can…. The teenage years are especially hard and stressful.

Many things can affect your teen's mood and behavior. These can…. Visit The Symptom Checker. Read More. Eustachian Tube Dysfunction. Fever in Infants and Children. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Teenagers: How to Stay Healthy. Vomiting and Diarrhea. Sore Throat. What is fifth disease? What are the symptoms of fifth disease?

The most common signs of fifth disease that differ from other illnesses are: About 2 to 3 weeks after being exposed to the virus, a red rash may appear on the face. This rash looks like the cheeks have been slapped, while the area around the mouth looks pale. These signs are usually seen only in children. A red, spotty, lace-like rash may appear on the arms and may spread to the chest, back and thighs.

The rash may fade away and then come back or get worse when the person is exposed to heat, such as in a warm bath or direct sunlight. The rash may last for several weeks. For some people, the rash may not appear at all, or it may look different in adults. Some people may only have pain in their joints, usually in the hands, feet, or knees, and no other symptoms. This is more common in adults, especially women.

The joint pain usually lasts 1 to 3 weeks, but it can last longer. It usually goes away without any long-term problems. How is fifth disease spread? Who can get fifth disease? Is fifth disease serious? However, some people are at risk of serious complications if they become infected, including: those with chronic hemolytic anemias such as sickle cell disease can have lifethreatening complications; those with weakened immune systems due to disease or medical treatment; and pregnant women, as they can pass the infection onto their developing baby This could result in the baby developing anemia or in a miscarriage or still birth, although this is rare.

What should you do if you or your child has been exposed to fifth disease? What should you do if you think your child has fifth disease? What is the treatment? The following home treatment tips may help you to be more comfortable while you rest and recover: Drink plenty of liquids to prevent dehydration. Reduce fever and relieve headache and joint pain with acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

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. A pregnant woman who is infected with parvovirus B19 can pass the virus to her baby.

Once you recover from fifth disease, you develop immunity that generally protects you from parvovirus B19 infection in the future. They can also do a blood test to determine if you are susceptible or possibly immune to parvovirus B19 infection or if you were recently infected.

This is not a routine test but can be performed in special circumstances. The blood test may be particularly helpful for pregnant women who may have been exposed to parvovirus B19 and are suspected to have fifth disease. Any pregnant woman who may have been exposed to parvovirus B19 should contact their obstetrician or healthcare provider as soon as possible.

There is no vaccine or medicine that can prevent parvovirus B19 infection. You can reduce your chance of being infected or infecting others by. Once you get the rash, you are probably not contagious.

So, it is usually safe for you to go back to work or for your child to return to school or a child care center.