Most of use remember that Fifth disease is a viral infection presenting with a distinctive rash (slapped check) caused by Parvovirus B19. But do you know the numbering of the other six Contagious Illnesses that are associated with rashes:
- First Disease – Measles caused by the rubeola virus
- Second Disease – Scarlet Fever caused by Streptococcus pyogenes Group A
- Third Disease – German Measles caused by rubella virus
- Fourth Disease – Dukes Disease – In the late 1880-1900’s it was widely published about but in the 1960’s it was not proven to exist by either epidemiologic criteria or isolation of an etiologic agent. Now felt to be a mild form of scarlet fever. Some reports of it being caused by a Coxsackvirus or Echovirus
- Fifth Disease - Erythema infectiosum caused by Parvovirus B19. Slapped Check
- Sixth Disease - Exanthem subitum (meaning sudden rash), also referred to as roseola infantum (or rose rash of infants), sixth disease. Presents as rapid onset high fever, followed by a fine red rash when the fever subsides. Caused by Herpes Virus 6.
