Fifth disease is a viral infection which often affects red blood cells.
For many years, fifth disease was viewed as an unimportant rash illness of children. Recently, studies have shown that the virus may be responsible for serious complications in certain individuals. Anyone can be infected, but the disease seems to occur more often in elementary school-age children. The virus is spread by exposure to airborne droplets from the nose and throat of infected people. One to two weeks after exposure, some children will experience a low grade fever and tiredness.