Westfield Health Bulletin: protecting loved ones from fifth disease

Westfield Health Bulletin: protecting loved ones from fifth disease

Human parvovirus B19 - also known as fifth disease or erythema infectiosum - is a common childhood infection causing a rash and flu-like symptoms. The name sounds more ominous than the infection is. The name fifth disease is derived from its fifth place on the list of childhood viral rash diseases. The previous four include measles, rubella, chicken pox and roseola. Although typically seen in children, adults can get it also. It is usually mild …