title: Erythema infectiosum.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Erythema infectiosum (fifth disease) is a common benign pediatric condition caused by B19 parvovirus. It can be identified clinically by a "slapped cheek" appearance that is often followed by reticulated exanthem on the trunk and extremities.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This review article provides a concise overview of erythema infectiosum.
  
  
  METHODS
  The article is divided into the followings sections: background, epidemiologic characteristics, clinical description, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, laboratory diagnosis, prognosis, and management.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Erythema infectiosum is found to cause a fairly prominent classic rash and generalized symptoms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although erythema infectiosum has many distinctive symptoms, the prognosis is excellent because the condition in children is usually self-limited.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey 07103-2714, USA.
authors.forename: Janet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vafaie
authors.forename: Robert A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Schwartz
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D016731:Erythema Infectiosum / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans