Fact Sheet for School
What is it?
Fifth Disease is a relatively mild childhood rash caused by a virus.
Who gets it?
Anyone can get Fifth Disease but it is most often seen in school-aged children.
How is it spread?
Fifth Disease is spread by coughing and sneezing from an infected person.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of Fifth Disease are most often mild and include low-grade fever and fatigue, followed by a distinctive rash of the face, often described as "slapped cheeks." This rash may spread to the trunk, legs, and arms.
What is the treatment?
There is no treatment.
How can it be prevented?
Children are contagious five days BEFORE the rash appears. Once the rash appears the child is NOT contagious, so the child with the rash should go to school.
If you have any questions or concerns, call your local Health Department.