Causes

• The parvovirus responsible for fifth disease is spread through respiratory droplets and skin to skin contact.
  
  

Time Frame

• The symptoms of fifth disease usually last for seven to ten days; however, children are usually contagious weeks before symptoms develop. Outbreaks of fifth disease are most common during the winter or spring months when children are in school.
  
  

Symptoms

• Most of the symptoms of fifth disease typically develop before the rash and include fever, sore throat, upset stomach, headaches, fatigue and itching. After approximately seven days, a bright red facial rash develops on both cheeks and then spreads to the rest of the body.
  
  

Features

• Once the skin rash appears, children with fifth disease are no longer contagious. While adults can also contract fifth disease, it is very rare and typically only causes joint pain in your wrists, ankles, knees and hands.
  
  

Treatment

• Typically, no treatment is required for fifth disease, and rest is sufficient for allowing your body to fight the infection. People with a weakened immune system or anemia may require hospitalization if they contract fifth disease,