Fifth disease is...

…a common, mild disease of infancy caused by a virus which is not serious in most cases. It is also known as “slapped cheek” disease, academy rash or Stickers disease.

Symptoms

Some people—around 20–30%—who get fifth disease will have no symptoms. Those who do usually start with a flu-like illness with a fever, headache, sore throat, abdominal pain, fatigue and nausea. In younger children, a raised, bright red rash often develops on the face and particularly the cheeks, which can make the child look as though they have recently been slapped on both sides of the face. This rash usually lasts one to four days and then a second stage, light pink rash appears on the arms and spreads towards the trunk of the body and down to the thighs. This rash may last one to two weeks and usually fades from the centre in a lacy pattern. This rash can reappear for weeks or months afterwards after exercise, overheating or other irritation of the skin.

Read more about fifth disease in the factsheet for the general public.