Fifth Disease

When is Fifth Disease contagious?

Children with Fifth Disease (Erythema Infectiousum, EI) are most infectious a few days before the onset of illness, and are no longer infectious once the rash and/or associated symptoms appear. The incubation period from acquisition of infection to onset of initial symptoms is usually between 4 and 14 days. EI can occur sporadically or as part of community outbreaks in elementary or high schools, during late winter or early spring. Secondary spread among susceptible household members is common and occurs in approximately 50% of contacts. The transmission rates in schools is much less (20%). Half of all children are seropositive by 15 years of age and 90% of elderly persons are seropositive.

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