| Abstract | Guidelines on the Management of Communicable Diseases in Schools and Nurseries: Fifth Disease (erythema infectiosum, slapped cheek disease, parvovirus B19 infection). This document provides details of mode of transmission - definition of onset; incubation period; risk of transmission - duration of shedding; period of infectiousness -serial interval; and exclusion period from school / nursery. Fifth disease is a minor illness in most children but infection should be avoided in pregnant women and patients with immune suppression or haematological conditions. |