Dr. Lynn Cates
Specializing in pediatric infectious diseases and childhood immunizations.
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 Ask Dr. Cates
Slapped Cheek (Fifth Disease) Risk to People with Cancer | | | QUESTION | | | Dear Dr. Cates,
My son has slapped cheek (Fifth Disease), and I was reading your article about it and came across where people with certain cancers should avoid being around people with fifth disease. I'm concerned because I had ovarian cancer almost three years ago. Should I be concerned?— Srlut85 in Frederick, Md United States | | | ANSWER |
May 10, 2001 | | | Dear Srlut85,
This is an excellent question. The reason people with some kinds of cancer are at risk for complications of fifth disease is that they may have a weakened immune system from the malignancy itself, or from treatment (e.g., chemotherapy). People who have had cancer in the past and who no longer immunosuppressed are usually not at any higher risk of complications than anyone else. If you have finished your chemotherapy and are otherwise well, there is probably no reason for concern. If, however, you have been warned that your blood count is low, you have been warned to avoid people with infections, or you have any other reason to think that you may still have decreased ability to fight off infections, you should check with your practitioner. I will revise the article to make it clearer.
— by Lynn Cates, M.D., F.A.A.P. |
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