25/06/2025
Rash details from your local pediatrician: Fifth disease
👩⚕️ Fifth disease. Slapped cheek disease. Erythema infectiosum (another Harry Potter-esque medical term 🤷♀️). This viral illness is caused by Parvovirus B19, which can cause variety of human illnesses ranging from mild to life threatening. Thankfully, fifth disease is usually well tolerated by the kiddos that catch it.
👩⚕️ Children with fifth disease are usually school aged and may start to show signs of illness with fevers, runny nose and headache or GI symptoms like diarrhea or vomiting. A few days later the cheeks appear as if they’ve been slapped, and then the child will get a lacey rash on the body. Usually by this time the fevers are gone and they’re back to feeling like themselves. 🙏
👩⚕️ Parvovirus B19 can cause serious complications in immunocompromised patients or unborn babies in early gestation, so if your child might have Fifth Disease, it’s best to keep them home until they’re symptoms are improved and fever is gone.
👩⚕️ Your pediatrician should be happy to help properly diagnose and help manage the illness, if you think they may have Fifth Disease.
✅ Stay healthy out there ✅
Disclaimer: educational content only, not meant to diagnose or treat any medical condition or replace the advice of your medical provider.
