What is Fifths Disease?
Fifth’s disease, also commonly known as “slapped cheek disease,” is a viral infection caused by the parvovirus and characterized by bright, red cheeks and a pale mouth, hence the nickname. The disease got its official name because it was the fifth fever/rash illness to be identified after others such as chickenpox and measles. It is a harmless, common illness that the majority of people have been exposed to by the time they reach adulthood, although it can also affect adults. Fifth’s disease is usually diagnosed by the presence of the signature red cheeks and pale skin around the mouth. A lacy and/or bumpy red rash may also spread to the chest, back and abdomen. Heat and sunlight can exacerbate the rash, which can disappear and reappear over several months. In 25% of cases, fever can also occur, along with mild flu symptoms. Headache, body aches and muscle aches are not uncommon with fifth’s disease. In some people, fifth’s disease begins with aches and fevers that end, then the rash b
Dear Hillary: Fifth’s disease is a mild illness. It is thought to be caused by a virus. It is very common among children. A person who has been near another person with fifth’s disease will probably come down with the illness in ten to twenty-eight days. Fifth’s disease got its name by being the fifth of several illnesses that doctors described with a similar rash. The rash usually appears in stages. First, there is a bright red rash on the face, especially the cheeks. The person often looks like his cheeks have been slapped.
