Pearls:
1. If a pregnant woman was in contact with a patient with fifth disease
during the phase of the illness before the onset of the rash, she should
have serologic testing and a fetal ultrasound to evaluate the health of her
and the baby. It should be mentioned that the complications of parvovirus in
pregnant women typically occur during the first half of pregnancy.
2. Most authorities think that it is appropriate to initiate a progestin-
only method of contraception immediately postpartum.
