Fifth Disease Diagnosis, Treatment for Fifth Disease

Diagnosis of Fifth Disease

Diagnosis of erythema infectiosum is typically based on clinical presentation. A blood test can confirm the diagnosis by looking for particular antibodies (protective immune proteins) to parvovirus B19.

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Treatment for Fifth Disease

No specific treatment is available for erythema infectiosum.

Fifth Disease Prevention

There is no vaccine to prevent infection with parvovirus B19. Since people with the infection are usually contagious prior to the appearance of symptoms, isolation attempts have not been successful. Blood testing is offered to pregnant women with known exposure to determine whether the woman has lifelong immunity or if she has recently been infected. In the latter case, the pregnancy should be monitored closely with frequent ultrasound exams.

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