Pregnancy complications

• Pregnancy complications may need special medical care.
• Common problems include anemia, diabetes and bleeding.
• Ask your provider about the signs of serious complications.

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Fifth disease (erythema infectiosum) is a common, mild, childhood illness caused by parvovirus B19. It causes a "slapped-cheek" rash on the face and, less commonly, fever, headache, sore throat and joint pain in children. Infected adults often have joint pain and swelling, and sometimes mild flu-like symptoms, but usually no rash.

Women with young children and those who work with them (for example, child care providers and teachers) are at greatest risk of exposure and infection.

About 60 percent of adults have had the infection as children and, therefore, are immune as adults. Most unborn babies are unaffected if their mother gets infected.

Some unborn babies, however, do become infected. The virus can disrupt the ability to produce red blood cells, leading to a dangerous form of anemia, heart failure and, in about 2-9 percent of fetal infections, death of the unborn child.

What you can do
If you are pregnant and unsure of your immune status, you can help protect yourself from infection by:

• Washing your hands thoroughly and often, especially after touching tissues used by children who might be infected 
• Not sharing drinking glasses and utensils with any one who has or was exposed to the illness
  If you think you have been exposed to fifth disease, call your health care provider right away.