Erythema infectiosum

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Erythema infectiosum is a contagious viral infection that causes a blotchy or raised red rash and a slapped-cheek red rash on the face along with mild illness.

Erythema infectiosum is caused by a virus.
Symptoms include a mild fever, slapped-cheek red rash on the face, and a lacy rash on the arms, legs, and trunk.
The diagnosis is based on the characteristic rash.
Treatment is aimed at relieving symptoms.

Erythema infectiosum, often referred to as fifth disease, is caused by human parvovirus B19 and occurs most often during the spring months, often in geographically limited outbreaks among children, particularly school age children. Infection is spread mainly by breathing in small droplets that have been breathed out by an infected person, so infection tends to spread within a household. The infection can also be transmitted from mother to fetus during pregnancy, rarely resulting in stillbirth or severe anemia and excess fluid and swelling (edema) in the fetus (hydrops fetalis).