Fifth Disease

7 questions · Health & Medicine

Fifth disease (Ringelröteln in German) is a typical, usually harmless childhood illness that, despite its German name, is related neither to rubella nor to measles. It is caused by parvovirus B19, spread by droplets when coughing and speaking. Its most striking sign is a rash that appears in a special way: first the cheeks redden strongly, as if the child had been slapped: in English the disease is therefore called „slapped cheek disease“. A little later a garland- or lace-like, net-shaped rash spreads over the body and arms, which gave the disease its German name and can flare up again in sunlight or warmth. For healthy children fifth disease usually runs mild, often without the illness even being noticed. It can, however, become dangerous for pregnant women: if a woman is infected in the first half of pregnancy, the virus can cause severe anaemia in the unborn child and lead to complications. There is no vaccine against fifth disease; after going through an infection, though, one is usually protected for life.

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4 of 7 questions with answers

Which virus causes fifth disease?

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Parvovirus B19

Humans are its only host.

💡 Did you know? It is not related to true rubella.

What does the typical fifth-disease rash look like?

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Garland- or ring-shaped

It spreads over the body and arms.

💡 Did you know? In warmth it can flare up again.

Which English name alludes to the bright red face?

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Slapped cheek disease

The cheeks redden as if after a slap.

💡 Did you know? That is often the first sign.

How does fifth disease usually run in healthy children?

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Usually harmless

Often the illness is not even noticed.

💡 Did you know? Lasting protection develops after infection.

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