Our fantastic team at KidsHealth have published a new resource to support parents and caregivers in Aotearoa to better understand slapped cheek disease (also known as fifth disease).
Slapped cheek disease is a common viral infection caused by parvovirus B19. It most often affects children aged 3 to 15 years and is typically mild — but the distinctive red rash can cause concern for caregivers.
This clinically reviewed page provides accessible, evidence-based information for whānau, including:
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Common signs and symptoms
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How the infection spreads and how long it’s infectious
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Who is most at risk, including considerations for pregnancy and immunocompromised tamariki
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When to keep children home from school or kura
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When to seek medical advice
The resource features original in-house illustrations, designed to help whānau recognise the condition and understand what to expect.
It’s a trusted tool to support conversations between clinical staff and whānau, and can be shared with confidence.
👉 Read and share the full resource on KidsHealth
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