Names of Common Childhood Infections

Certain childhood infections, such as croup, strep throat, and fifth disease are described as being common because most kids end up getting them at one time or another.

Ever wonder where these childhood infections get their name?

Fifth disease seems like an especially odd name, but it makes sense when you consider the history of pediatrics and that erythema infectiosum was also given the name fifth disease because it was the fifth childhood infection that was known to produce a fever and rash.

The other infections with classic rashes include:

1. Measles or Rubeola
2. Scarlet Fever
3. Rubella or German Measles
4. Filatov-Dukes disease (similar to scarlet fever)
5. Erythema Infectiosum (Fifth disease)
6. Roseola Infantum (Sixth disease)

Although this classification system is no longer really used, 'how did Fifth disease get its name?' is a common question that pediatric residents are often asked and is a good 'pediatric pearl' to know...

References:
¹ Behrman: Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics, 17th ed., Copyright © 2004