Fifth Disease

Fifth disease refers to an illness caused from a human parvovirus B19, and is characterized by a rash on the cheeks, arms and legs. School going children and preschoolers often gets affected by the fifth disease, generally spread through contact with respiratory secretions, and generally returns and lasts for five days, while the rash arising from sunlight, fever, emotional stress or exercise returns to last for several weeks. The primary sign of fifth disease is bright red cheeks normally, which fades away after a week or so. Parvovirus B19 can pose a significant harm to the unborn baby of a pregnant woman, and thus an immediate treatment needs to be done.