Fifth disease spreads easily from person to person through the
fluids in the mouth, nose, and throat of an infected person. It
occurs everywhere in the world, usually in late winter or early
spring. Most people have no symptoms, but those who do often
mistake them for a mild cold or flu, with a low-grade fever and
a runny and stuffy nose. Fifth disease begins so much like a
mild cold, in fact, that there is no way to clearly identify it
during the early stages when it is contagious, and the only
prevention is good hygiene, such as constant hand washing and
avoiding the sharing of glasses and utensils. There is no
vaccine against parvovirus B19, and no treatment apart from the
alleviation of symptoms. Fifth disease is sometimes called
slapped cheek syndrome because of its telltale red rash, which
usually occurs in children ten and under. The rash begins on the
face and spreads across the cheeks in a way that gives the child
the appearance of having been slapped. Although it can be
alarming for parents, by the