Fifth Disease: A Review

Erythema infectiosum which is also popularly called as Fifth disease is a contagious disease caused by Parvovirus B19, its endemic in parts of Europe and children are vulnerable to contract this illness; however the treatment is symptomatic but once recovered individual gains life time immunity. The name "Fifth disease" comes from its place on the standard list of rash-causing childhood diseases, which also includes measles (first), scarlet fever (second), rubella (third), Dukes ’disease (fourth, but is no longer widely accepted as distinct) and roseola (sixth). Fifth disease is viral illness that most kids recover from quickly and without complications. Also called erythema infectiosum, it's caused by parvovirus B19¹.