Fifth Disease

Also known as slapped cheek disease due to the characteristic cheek rash associated with this viral infection, fifth disease is one of the most common childhood rashes (the fifth, actually). The actual medical name for it is erythema infectiousum, if you want to get fancy about it. Caused by a virus called parvovirus B19, this virus can cause fever and mild flu-like symptoms for 1-2 weeks during incubation, and then after several days (usually after the fevers are gone), a rash appears on the kiddo’s cheeks and then starts spreading down the body with this classic lace-like red rash. This virus is usually taken care of fine by the body with no additional treatment or medicines. The biggest concern in terms of parvovirus B19 is that if a kiddo has this, they should not be around pregnant people or people with weak immune systems or blood disorders, as it can cause anemia (a decrease in the production of red blood cells) temporarily, which is very concerning in these high-risk populations.