...

Fifth Disease Pediatric Care Plan

By K Health
Medically reviewed checkmarkMedically reviewed
January 18, 2021

What is Fifth Disease (Erythema Infectiosum)?

Erythema infectiosum, also known as slapped-cheek rash and fifth disease, is caused by the virus parvovirus B-19. The main symptom of fifth disease is a rash.

Prior to the rash occurring, your child will likely have other viral symptoms such as:

  • fever
  • headache
  • sore throat
  • runny nose
  • upset stomach

The fifth disease rash usually appears as the child is beginning to feel better from the initial viral symptoms. It can include bright red cheeks (known as ‘slapped cheek’) and a lace-pattern (net-like) rash on the chest, arms and legs.

The rash usually doesn’t cause any other symptoms. Parvovirus can be dangerous to children with sickle cell disease and, in rare cases, can be dangerous to a developing fetus. 

Fifth Disease Treatment

Parvovirus is harmless and so is its rash. If the rash is not itchy then you don’t need to apply any cream. 

If the rash is itchy:

  • You can apply an unscented moisturizing cream like Aveno or Eucerin. It’s best to do this after a warm bath while the skin is till damp
  • You can apply an over-the-counter 1% hydrocortisone cream up to 3 times per day to the itchy areas

Pregnant women who come into contact with someone with parvovirus should call their doctors to evaluate the risk to the fetus. Their doctor will usually test them to see if they’ve had parvovirus before and if not, will monitor the fetus closely even though complications are rare.

When can my child return to school?

Once the rash of parvovirus appears – either ‘slapped cheek’ or ‘lace-like’ –  your child can no longer spread the virus and can return to school as long as they do not have a fever.

See a Doctor in Person If…

  • If fever last more than 5 days
  • If congestion or runny nose lasts for more than 10 days
  • If your child develops ear pain
  • If your child looks really sick with a concerning decrease in activity level even without a fever
  • If your child isn’t drinking enough and you’re concerned for dehydration
  • If your child has a bad cough, chest pain, or difficulty breathing
K Health articles are all written and reviewed by MDs, PhDs, NPs, or PharmDs and are for informational purposes only. This information does not constitute and should not be relied on for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment.

K Health

Reliable, relatable medical information written by hundreds of board-certified clinicians, updated regularly to ensure accuracy.

Related articles

Checklist for Healthy Kids 2022

As a teaching attending in pediatrics, I learn a lot from my medical students and residents. One such pearl was an acronym that a resident inserted into a patient presentation that I have since adopted and utilize in my own practice. GEEDDSS. It’s memorable perhaps because it’s non-sensical and stands for the key components of […]

Read more

Expert tips on returning to school amidst the Delta variant

Millions of kids are returning to the classroom for in-person learning. However, there are still growing concerns about the COVID-19 delta variant from parents and teachers. The delta variant is 200% more transmissible and 1000% higher in viral load. This means more kids could potentially contract the virus, will test positive quicker after exposure, and […]

Read more

COVID And The Recurrence of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases

Recent data reveals 23 million children globally missed out on routine vaccines against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, measles and polio. Exacerbated by the diversion of resources to combat COVID-19, there is a real concern that these diseases may re-emerge as herd immunity thresholds are breached.

Read more

Precordial Catch Syndrome: Symptoms, Causes, Treatments

Precordial catch syndrome (PCS) causes sudden, sharp chest pain, usually in the upper left-hand side of the chest. The pains are not accompanied by any other symptoms and usually affect children, teenagers, and young adults who are otherwise quite healthy. Fortunately, though it can be scary, PCS is not serious and will resolve on its […]

Read more

Nursemaid’s Elbow: Signs, Symptoms, Treatments & When to See a Doctor

Nursemaid’s elbow—also referred to as pulled elbow, slipped elbow, and toddler elbow—is a common injury of early childhood. In fact, it represents more than 20% of upper-extremity injuries in young children.  As a child grows, their bones and muscles develop and become much stronger. But for young children, even slight jerks or pulls to the […]

Read more

Acne in Toddlers: When to Call a Doctor

Many people associate acne with adolescence. And the truth is, most teenagers and young adults experience at least one breakout at some point in their lives. But teens aren’t the only ones who develop acne. Up to 50 million Americans deal with the skin condition every year—and that includes some infants and young children. If […]

Read more

When to Call a Doctor for Your Child’s Fever

All children get fevers from time to time. Although this can be concerning for a parent, in most cases, kids feel better within a few days. Still, fevers should be monitored closely because they can be a symptom of an underlying illness or infection. It is important to remember that in almost all cases, a […]

Read more

Everything You Need to Know About the Flu in Kids

Chances are you have heard of the flu or even had it yourself. But when your child or a child in your care has the flu, it is important to understand how the virus can affect them differently. Luckily, you have come to the right place.  The flu results in 9-45 million illnesses in adults […]

Read more