How to Protect Yourself From Fifth Disease During Pregnancy
You do your best to stay healthy during pregnancy, but germs abound and viruses circulate. It’s a fact of life, and getting sick during pregnancy is an unfortunately reality for many moms-to-be. In rare circumstances, some illnesses can put the health of baby at risk. One of them is fifth disease, also known as parvovirus B19.
If you happen to get fifth disease in pregnancy, the odds are high that you and baby will be just fine. But complications can arise, making it important to at least be aware of red-flag symptoms. Here’s what ob-gyns want you to know about fifth disease and pregnancy, plus what to do if you suspect that you have it.
Fifth disease is another name for parvovirus B19. It’s a common childhood illness: about 50 percent of people get fifth disease by the time they’re 20 years old, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Once you have fifth disease, you develop antibodies for the condition and immunity, which can protect you as an adult—including during pregnancy, notes the CDC.
Fifth disease is spread through respiratory droplets, according to the CDC. If someone who has the virus coughs or sneezes on or near you, respiratory droplets could wind up in your nose, mouth or eyes, ultimately infecting you.
“Usually, people get it from kids,” says Melissa Bush, MD, medical director of obstetrics, perinatology and maternal-fetal medicine at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center in Laguna Hills, California.
But you can also get fifth disease by touching an object that those respiratory droplets have landed on—like a door handle or countertop—and then touching your nose, mouth or eyes with unwashed hands.
If you’re pregnant with fifth disease, the symptoms can vary. “Most of the time, it’s asymptomatic,” Bush says. Meaning, you’ll feel just fine, even though you’ve been infected. However, there’s a range of symptoms adults can experience, according to Anthony Monteiro, DO, chief of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive medicine at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Jersey. These can include:
- Joint pain in the hands, wrists and ankles
- Fever
- Headache
- Sore throat
- Itching
- Coughing
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Sneezing
- Pink eye
- Muscle aches
Most of these symptoms will last two to five days, Monteiro says. But the joint pain can last for weeks, per the CDC.
There are no specific risks to moms who get fifth disease during pregnancy, Monteiro says. “The risks are all to the fetus,” he adds.
Fifth disease during pregnancy can be passed to baby during pregnancy—and, while rare, complications can ensue.
“Fetal loss can occur in up to 6 percent of pregnancies with exposure in the first 20 weeks of pregnancy,” Monteiro says.
Babies can also develop a condition called hydrops, which is abnormal swelling. “This can lead to fetal anemia,” Monteiro says. There’s a treatment for this, though (more on that in a moment).
Susan Kline, MD, MPH., a professor of medicine in the division of infectious diseases and international medicine at the University of Minnesota Medical School, stresses that this isn’t the norm. “It won’t happen to every woman who has parvovirus B19, but it’s something that can happen,” she says.
If you’re pregnant and you know you’ve been exposed to fifth disease, your doctor may proactively give you a blood test, Monteiro says. If the blood test suggests you’ve been exposed, you’ll likely be referred to a maternal-fetal medicine specialist for further testing, including ultrasounds and possible amniocentesis (which is removal of some of the amniotic fluid).
Unfortunately, antibiotics won’t do anything to help. As fifth disease is caused by a virus, antibiotics won’t work, says Monteiro. If necessary, your doctor may recommend a fetal blood transfusion through your abdomen into the umbilical cord if baby has anemia, he adds.
Unfortunately, there isn’t a vaccine for fifth disease, and it’s not recommended that you get tested before pregnancy to see if you’re immune to the condition, notes Bush.
However, careful hand hygiene can help lower your risk of getting the virus, as well as doing your best to avoid people who are obviously sick. Monteiro also recommends that you avoid sharing drinks and food with other people, just to play it extra safe.
If you’re exposed to fifth disease during pregnancy, contact your ob-gyn. They can arrange for antibody testing to see whether you have immunity or see if you’ve been recently infected, Monteiro says.
Your doctor may want to do weekly ultrasounds from there to keep an eye on baby to look for swelling or other issues, Bush adds. Fifth disease is an incredibly common virus, but it’s one that can have serious complications for baby. If you’re concerned about exposure, reach out to your doctor. They should be able to take things from there.
Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.
Plus, more from The Bump:
Melissa Bush, MD, is the medical director of obstetrics, perinatology and maternal-fetal medicine at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center in Laguna Hills, California. She received her medical degree from Harvard Medical School.
Susan Kline, MD, MPH, is a professor of medicine in the division of infectious diseases and international medicine at the University of Minnesota Medical School, where she also earned her medical degree.
Anthony Monteiro, DO, is the chief of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive medicine at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Jersey.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Increase in Human Parvovirus B19 Activity in the United States, August 2024
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