Shepherd Public Schools

Fifth Disease

There has been a reported case of Fifth Disease in your child’s class. Fifth Disease is a mild rash illness. There is usually no fever or any other symptoms or complications. It predominately affects children ages 4 to 15 years of age, although adults also can occasionally contract the disease. As with any communicable disease, pregnant women exposed to this disease should consult with their physician.

Symptoms usually occur within 4 to 14 days after a person has been exposed, may take as long as 20 days to develop. Some children may experience a low-grade fever and tiredness before they develop the rash. The characteristic feature of Fifth Disease is a red, patchy facial rash (giving a "slapped cheek" appearance") that may spread to the rest of the body in a lace-like pattern. This can last for a few days to over a week. It may reappear when exposed to irritants such as sunlight or extreme heat or cold. This can continue for as long as five weeks after the first rash. Sometimes the rash may be itchy.

At this time, there is no specific treatment. The virus is spread by exposure to airborne droplets from the nose and throat of infected people. People with Fifth Disease appear to be contagious during the week prior to the appearance of the rash. By the time the rash is evident the person is probably beyond the contagious period. Children with the rash of Fifth Disease may attend childcare or school, as they are not infectious.