Fifth disease is a benign viral infectious disease. It is very contagious; affecting especially children aged between 5 and 15 years, but does not require the suspension of school attendance. Infection occurs through the respiratory system and maximum infectiousness occurs during the week before the onset of the eruption.

The fifth disease has spread all over the world, and tends to spread in the late winter and early spring, but there may be sporadic cases of disease in any other year.

But we see the fifth’s disease symptoms and how it manifests: first begin to appear very red patches on her face when slapped on the cheeks as (in fact many doctors call the disease of slaps) that last up to 3 days, after the eruption always with a red color, usually lighter, and extends to the trunk, arms, and legs often sparing the palms and soles. When the eruption began clearing tends to look like a fence. It is important to remember is that the spots come and go even within a few hours, but often do not disappear completely before 3 or 4 weeks and you will see that taking a hot bath to your child, or after having done sports or after being the sun appears that the rash he wakes.

Usually there is fever (sometimes a few lines) or almost, at times some children have a little cold, sore throat and itching. It is important to call your doctor if your child developed a rash, especially if it has spread over the body and is accompanied by other fifth’s disease symptoms.

The fifth disease, or megaloeritema, is caused by a virus called parvovirus B 19. The infection occurs through direct contact with mucus, saliva or respiratory droplets transmitted through coughing and sneezing but also talking with the infected individual.

The infection occurs mainly in spring, especially on children of school age and usually occurs after a period between 4 days and two weeks.

Unlike other exanthematous disease, fifth disease symptoms, except sometimes a slight fever. A few days after the onset of a rash appears on the face, especially cheeks, that warm and appear red, while the chin, forehead and the area around the mouth appear clearer.

After appearing in the raised red spots, from the trunk down, that it will eventually fade and fade, even if they cause a very annoying itch. Furthermore, when the eruption begins exhausted the possibility of infection.

The average length of fifth disease is 11 weeks, but may reach 4-5 weeks. After healing the rash may reappear, for example, excessive sun exposure, or even for a hot bath, but this phenomenon should not worry.


Like other, fifth disease is self-limiting and do not need no treatment, in particular, as there is no vaccine to prevent it. You can soothe the itching by antihistamines.
The megaloeritema in itself is not a serious illness, but can be dangerous in conjunction with rare forms of anemia such as thalassemia and Fauvism.