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Fifth Disease

Fifth Disease Overview
Fifth Disease Causes
Fifth Disease Symptoms
When to Seek Medical Care
Exams and Tests
Fifth Disease Treatment
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Fifth Disease Overview

Fifth disease is a mild illness caused by a virus known as human parvovirus B19. The medical name for fifth disease is erythema infectiosum (EI). It is seen primarily in school-aged children between 5 and 14 years of age during the spring and winter. Fifth disease causes a reddish rash on the child's face so that it looks as if the child has been slapped on both cheeks.

The virus is thought to spread via droplets in the air (respiratory secretions transmitted by coughs and sneezes) and blood from other infected people. Early during the illness, nasal secretions contain the viral DNA. Blood has been found to contain viral particles as well as DNA.

Cases of fifth disease can occur either sporadically or as part of community outbreaks. Outbreaks occur mainly in elementary schools during the spring. Half of the cases occur from spread of the virus to others in the household. Transmission of the infection in schools is less common.

At least half of adults have had the infection and are unlikely to be re-infected. About 10% or fewer of young children are immune.

People with the illness are contagious before the onset of symptoms and are probably not contagious after they develop the rash. The incubation period from the time of acquiring the infection to the development of symptoms is usually between four and 14 days.

The name fifth disease comes from a classification system used many decades ago. The five most common rashes (or exanthems) of childhood are traditionally recognized to be measles (rubeola), chickenpox (varicella), German measles (rubella), roseola, and the "fifth disease" (parvovirus B19 infection).