Fifth disease

A common childhood illness caused by a virus (human parvovirus B 19). It is spread like a cold and is usually very mild. It usually starts as a red rash on the cheeks, giving the disease its other name, “slap face disease.” The rash spreads to other parts of the body and lasts from one to three weeks. There is no vaccine or treatment for Fifth Disease. It is believed that having the disease makes you immune to ever having it again. Fifth Disease got its name because at one time it was the fifth disease on a list of the common causes of rash and fever in children.