It is thought that once you have had Fifth disease you are immune and can not get it again. Fifth disease is spread by tiny droplets of water from the nose and throat of someone who has the infection. The droplets of water are spread when a person sneezes or coughs. People who have Fifth disease are thought to be the most contagious during the week before the rash starts to show. After the rash appears, the person is no longer contagious.
Fifth disease poses a risk to developing fetuses in the first trimester of pregnancy.
Before birth, some fetuses infected with Fifth disease will develop complications. Ten percent develop severe anemia and 2 percent may die. At this time, there is no treatment for Fifth disease. However, because the symptoms are so mild, the infection most often does not need specific treatment. All Rights Reserved.