About 60% of
fifth disease infections occur in children between the
ages of 5 and 15 years.1 Adults also may become
infected with parvovirus B19, although most people get fifth disease when they
are children. About half of people who have been infected with parvovirus B19
develop
immunity to the virus, which means they cannot get the
disease again.2
Outbreaks of fifth disease infections are more common during the
winter and spring months.
Citations
Levin MJ, Weinberg A (2005). Erythema infectiosum
section of Infections: Viral and rickettsial. In WW Hay et al., eds.,
Current Pediatric Diagnosis and Treatment, 17th ed., pp.
1162-1163. New York: Lange/McGraw-Hill.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2005). Parvovirus B19 (fifth disease). National Center for Infectious Diseases, Respiratory and Enteric Viruses Branch. Available online: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/parvovirus/B19.htm.
Levin MJ, Weinberg A (2005). Erythema infectiosum
section of Infections: Viral and rickettsial. In WW Hay et al., eds.,
Current Pediatric Diagnosis and Treatment, 17th ed., pp.
1162-1163. New York: Lange/McGraw-Hill.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2005). Parvovirus B19 (fifth disease). National Center for Infectious Diseases, Respiratory and Enteric Viruses Branch. Available online: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/parvovirus/B19.htm.
