Pediatric Health Resources Caring for Children Dosing Chart for Tylenol and Ibuprofen Guide for Car Safety Seats Online Resources Pediatric Feeding Guide Self-Exam for Breast Cancer Self-Exam for Testicular Cancer Well Care Child Forms

Enter your email to subscribe to our Newsletter:

Caring for Children: Fifth Disease

Fifth Disease is an illness caused by human Parvovirus, which affects persons of all ages. Most epidemics are seen among school-age children in late winter and spring months. The virus is droplet-spread in respiratory secretions.

A person is contagious for approximately one week prior to developing symptoms, which include a rash, and sometimes mild cold-like symptoms. The classic rash appears suddenly as bright-red patches on the cheeks, which are raised, and warm but not tender (described as the "slapped cheek" appearance). This fades within four days and a lacy pink rash may develop on the arms, chest, back and legs. The rash may appear worse after sun exposure, friction or temperature change and may persist two weeks or longer. The rash may also reappear briefly weeks or months later with sun exposure or heat. Adults may have an especially mild illness with only mild pain in the joints.

Children with abnormalities of their hemoglobin or red blood cells, such as sickle-cell anemia, and children with cancer may have a more severe disease with worsening of anemia. If Fifth Disease occurs in women during pregnancy, there is a small potential risk to the fetus. If this is a concern, please contact your obstetrician for advice.

There is no specific treatment for Fifth Disease. Once the rash appears, children are no longer contagious. Children may return to school or daycare once the rash is diagnosed if there is no fever.

Call the pediatrician if:

1. You are unsure of the rash.
2. Your child has a high fever or is acting ill.