“What is slapped cheek disease?”

Called 5th disease or Erythema infectiosum. Caused by Parvovirus, it is contagious. Should not go near pregnant women, as it can cause problems with unborn babies. It goes away in a week. Sun makes it worse.

There is no such thing as “slapped cheek syndrome,” or “slapped cheek disease,” but there is a disease that causes a rash that is described as a slapped cheek appearance. The disease name is erythema infectiosum, but it is often called “fifth disease” or, incorrectly, “fifth’s disease.” It is a common viral infection/rash syndrome of childhood. It is called “fifth disease” because it was the fifth of the common childhood rash diseases to be described. It is caused by a virus called Parvovirus B19, and yes, it is contagious. However, once the rash appears, the period of contagion is generally over. Incidentally, the parvovirus that causes erythema infectiosum is not the same virus as the parvovirus that dogs get. Dogs cannot contract human parvovirus infections, and humans cannot contract dog parvovirus infections. Erythema infectiosum is generally fairly benign. It goes away on its own and is usually not a serious problem. In addition to the slapped cheek rash on the face, there is often a lacy rash on the shoulders and upper arms. It should be noted that the rash of this disease can last for weeks or even up to a couple of months, or it can go away and then come back for about that same time period. If the rash does go away and come back, that is nothing to worry about.

Randall Fisher, M.D.

This is fifths disease or erythema infectiousum. It is caused by parvo b19 and is contagious. It usually caused slapped cheek appearance lacy rash on tops of arms and legs. In adults, the rash may not be present but pain in the joints may occur. If a mother catches it during the 2nd trimester of pregnancy the baby can get very anemic and go into heart failure. Also patients with sickle cell or spherocytosis or other blood disorders can get very anemic and need transfusion if they catch it. Most children have it with just the rash and do well.