Page content: What is slapped cheek infection? | What are the symptoms? | How is it spread? | How can it affect my baby? | How can I protect myself and my baby? | What action should I take if I think I have been exposed? | Further information

What is slapped cheek infection?

Erythema infectiosum is also known as 'slapped cheek disease' or 'fifth disease' and is a common childhood viral infection caused by human parvovirus B19. Fifty to sixty percent of women are immune to the virus by the time they reach childbearing age. Occasionally, an unborn baby of a non-immune mother can develop problems if infected before the 20th week of pregnancy.

What are the symptoms?

Most cases experience no symptoms at all.

In children the infection causes a mild illness with little or no fever but a striking redness of the cheeks (hence 'slapped cheek disease'). This may be accompanied by a lacy looking rash that fades within a week but can re-occur over several weeks on exposure to heat or sunlight.

Adults often do not have a rash but may have cold-type symptoms and/or painful or swollen joints over two to three days.

How is it spread?

Parvovirus infection is spread by infected respiratory secretions through coughing, sneezing or touching something that has been coughed or sneezed on. About 50% of non-immune people will become infected if there is a case in their household, less if the case is at school or child care. Cases are infectious before the onset of the rash and are probably not infectious after the rash appears.
The incubation period of the infection is 1 to 2 weeks.

How can it affect my baby?

The risk to unborn babies is low. Spread from mother to baby can only occur if the mother is not immune. Even if the mother is affected only one-third of babies will develop the infection (generally about a month after the mother's illness).

Infection during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy can rarely cause a form of anaemia (low blood count) in the baby. In many cases this resolves by itself but in some instances it may require treatment. Very rarely it can be fatal. Parvovirus infection does not cause congenital abnormalities.

How can I protect myself and my baby?

Washing hands before eating or touching your face can help prevent infection. Avoid sharing cutlery, cups and plates.

What action should I take if I think I have been exposed?

A pregnant woman who believes she has been in contact with a case of parvovirus infection should consult the doctor supervising her pregnancy even if she has no symptoms. Blood testing can assist doctors advising women who are pregnant of the risk, if any, which parvovirus infection poses. There is no risk to a woman (or her baby) that already has immunity.

If active infection is diagnosed, ultrasound is performed every 1-2 weeks to monitor the health of the baby. If there are signs the baby is having difficulty with severe anemia a blood transfusion while the baby is still in the womb may be considered.

Further information

• Your local doctor
• A href="http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/">Better Health Channel
• Victorian Department of Human Services, 1300 651 160