| Fifth disease is one of the common childhood rashes and is caused by human parvovirus B-19. It is also called
erythrema infectiosum or slapped face disease because of the rash on the cheeks. It is called fifth disease because it was the
fifth of a series of rashes, ordered in the sequence that they were reported, that all look very similar. The others are measles
(Rubeola), scarlet fever (Scarlatina), German measles (3-day measles, rubella) and Dukes' disease. About half of the US
population has been infected by parvovirus B-19 and infection results in life-long immunity.ddd |
