Fifth disease is diagnosed based on a visual examination of the skin rash and patient symptoms. A physician will perform a complete physical examination and compile a thorough medical history when trying to make a diagnosis.

If a pregnant woman is suspected of having the disease, a physician may refer her to the care of her obstetrician-gynecologist (ObGyn), a physician who specializes in the female reproductive system, including the management of pregnancy, labor and birth. In some cases, pregnant women who have never previously had fifth disease may experience a miscarriage (spontaneous termination of pregnancy). The ObGyn may perform additional tests, such as an ultrasound and blood tests, to monitor the fetus for possible complications.

Sometimes, a physician may perform a blood test to help identify the virus that causes fifth disease (PV-B19) by detecting antibodies in the blood. However, in general no laboratory tests are necessary to diagnose the illness.

Usually, no medical care is necessary to treat the viral infection and most patients experience complete recovery within about three weeks after the rash appears.

However, physicians may recommend the following for relief of symptoms:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce fever, joint pain and inflammation. This is usually reserved for patients who are experiencing arthritis associated with infection. NSAIDs may include ibuprofen or naproxen. However, aspirin should not be administered to children under 12 years old with viral infections because of the risk of Reye syndrome, a potentially fatal illness that affects the brain and other organs.
  
  
• Antihistamines (e.g., hydroxyzine) and topical antipruritics (e.g., calamine lotion) to relieve itching (pruritus).
  
  

  

People with fifth disease, whether children or adults, should also get plenty of rest, restrict their activities and drink large amounts of fluids until their symptoms subside. Cold compresses can also be applied to the face to relieve the warmth associated with rashes on the cheeks.

Some patients may experience complications that require more medical attention. Adults and children with a compromised or weakened immune system, either because of chronic illnesses (e.g., AIDS) or blood disorders (e.g., sickle cell anemia), may experience severe, life-threatening complications when contracting fifth disease. In such patients, the infection can temporarily slow down or stop the body’s production of the oxygen-carrying red blood cells (erythrocytes), resulting in a severe type of anemia. Emergency medical care (e.g., blood transfusions, supplemental oxygen) may be necessary to treat the potentially fatal anemia until the patient recovers from the infection. Intramuscular or intravenous injections of immune serum globulin (IVIG) may also help to boost the immune system in these patients, but this is usually reserved for patients with chronic infection or chronic anemia.