Fifth disease is a viral illness that results in a viral exanthem. Exanthem is another name for a rash or skin eruption. It is spread from one child to another through direct contact with discharge from the nose and throat. It can also be spread through contact with infected blood. It is moderately contagious and usually does not include a high fever, as seen with some other viral skin conditions.
Fifth disease is caused the human parvovirus.
It is most prevalent in the winter and spring and is usually seen in children 5 to 14 years of age. Outbreaks of the disease frequently occur in school settings. It may take between four to 14 days for the child to develop symptoms of fifth disease after being exposed to the disease. Children are most contagious before the rash occurs. Therefore, children may be contagious before they even know they have the disease.