Can fifth disease cause health problems for some people?
• If a child has blood problems such as sickle cell anemia, fifth disease can make him very sick. It can also make a child with cancer or low immunity (catches infections easily) very sick. If your child has one of these problems and catches or is exposed to fifth disease, tell your child’s caregiver. • Pregnant women may choose to stay away from places where fifth disease is spreading. Rarely, fifth disease may cause a miscarriage (lose the baby) or other problems in unborn babies. If you are pregnant and working around children, wash your hands often. Tell your caregiver if you think you have been exposed to fifth disease. Your caregiver can do a special blood test to learn if you have ever had fifth disease. If you had fifth disease as a child, your unborn baby is safe from infection. Can my child catch fifth disease again? No. Once your child is infected with fifth disease, he will not get it again. CARE AGREEMENT: You have the right to help plan your child’s care. To help with thi
• If a child has blood problems such as sickle cell anemia, fifth disease can make him very sick. It can also make a child with cancer or low immunity (catches infections easily) very sick. If your child has one of these problems and catches or is exposed to fifth disease, tell your child’s caregiver. • Pregnant women may choose to stay away from places where fifth disease is spreading. Rarely, fifth disease may cause a miscarriage (lose the baby) or other problems in unborn babies. If you are pregnant and working around children, wash your hands often. Tell your caregiver if you think you have been exposed to fifth disease. Your caregiver can do a special blood test to learn if you have ever had fifth disease. If you had fifth disease as a child, your unborn baby is safe from infection.
