General treatment

For normally healthy people, home treatment (including rest, fluids, and pain relievers) is usually the only care needed for fifth disease. The reappearance of a rash does not mean the condition is severe or has gotten worse. The rash often reappears from exposure to sunlight, warm temperatures, or stress.

Antibiotics are not used to treat fifth disease because the illness is caused by a virus rather than bacteria.

Treatment for high-risk groups

Pregnant women and people who have impaired immune systems or certain blood disorders (such as sickle cell disease or thalassemia) are at high risk for developing complications from fifth disease. These people need close monitoring by a health professional after exposure or if they develop symptoms of infection. Medical treatment for complications sometimes requires hospitalization.

If you are pregnant and have been exposed to the virus that causes fifth disease, your doctor may recommend blood tests to see if you are infected or if you are immune. If you are infected, your doctor may recommend frequent fetal ultrasounds throughout your pregnancy to monitor your fetus's condition.

Preventing the spread of fifth disease

By the time the rash appears, you can no longer spread the disease to anyone else. After a child gets a rash, he or she may return to school or day care.

People known to have fifth disease, including those who have complications, should take measures to prevent spreading the virus. It helps to wash your hands often. If people with fifth disease are hospitalized, they may be isolated from other patients.

A vaccine against parvovirus B19 is being tested and may be available in the near future.