Fifth disease is a viral infection that is very common in children but some adults can also get it too.
Many people call it slapped cheek disease because of the face rash that develops resembling slap marks.
The infection is caused by human parvovirus B19.
It's most common among elementary school aged children during the winter and spring months, but anyone can become sick with it at any time of the year.
It spreads from person to person, just like a cold often through respiratory secretions and hand-to-hand contact.
The illness is contagious in the week before the rash appears.
Once the rash appears, the person with the illness is no longer considered contagious.
There's no specific treatment for parvovirus infection, but you can relieve your child's symptoms by using acetaminophen to relieve temperatures of more than 102°F or to relieve discomfort.
Be sure to never give aspirin to children with Fifth Disease.
Aspirin may trigger a rare but potentially fatal disorder known as Reye's syndrome.
The common symptoms of this disease are a sore throat, slight fever, upset stomach, pink eyes, headache, fatigue and itching.
After about 7 to 10 days a distinctive rash appears on the face which is bright red and prominent on both cheeks.
Another rash can follow which is pink, lacy and slightly raised on the arms, trunk, thighs and buttocks.
The early symptoms usually last from 5 to 10 days and the rash may come and go for up to three weeks.
In adults, the most common symptom of parvovirus infection is soreness of the joints lasting days to weeks.
Parvovirus infection is contagious for up to a week before the facial rash appears.
Once the rash appears, the person is no longer contagious and doesn't need to be kept isolated.
Overtime, the rash then begins to disappear and symptoms begin to moderate.