I think it’s called fifth disease because it’s one of five common
childhood diseases. (Although I doubt most of those are common anymore)

What are the symptoms? Contagious? How long does a child get it for on
average?

Slight fever, mild ‘ill’ feeling, a rash that initially appears only on
the face (giving a ‘slapped cheek’ appearance) and later spreads over the
trunk and limbs.

Hello. my son had Fifth disease when he was about four or five.
He had red cheeks, which has led to the disease also being called “slapped
cheeks”.

He also had a low grade feaver and a slight, lacy rash on his chest and
torso.

If your child has these symptoms the child should be seen by a doctor
immediately, not because fifth disease is dangerous but because the
symptoms mimic some of the symptoms of scarlet fever.

My son’s pediatrician said fifth disease was pretty common and he’d never
heard of any complications from it.

I think it’s called fifth disease because it’s one of five common
childhood diseases. (Although I doubt most of those are common anymore)

There was a huge outbreak of fifths where I live and I had it in 4th grade. It
was horrible!!! I was sick for so long, and I gave it to my mother, and it
kicked in arthritis of her hands. We were both sick for many weeks, and
couldn’t get out of bed. I still feel so guilty about making my mother so sick
even though I know it wasn’t intentional.