Ro
Fifth's disease gets its name because it is the fifth childhood illness. It usually is not serious at all in children. They will get a lacy looking rash on their cheeks (it almost looks as if they've been flushed from running around)then spread to their legs and arms and their buttocks. The rash may last a few weeks. Once the rash makes its appearance, the person is no longer contagious. The days before the rash comes out are the most contagious. A child may then feel achy, lathargic and may even run a fever, which could reach 103. May 2 sons and husband got this last October. (I never got it and I am not immune, so ??? I have been exposed to the disease however, but lucky enough to have never gotten it) The rash on my husband looked more like hives and itched like crazy. He was prescribed benedryl to help with the itch. He, as well as most adults had flu-like symptoms for about 2 to 3 weeks. Oddly, they say many woman do NOT get the rash, and think they have the flu. There is a blood test that a person can take to see if they are immune to the disease. Woman, especially of childbearing age should have this blood test BEFORE conceiving or at their first ob visit. The disease can be fatal to a fetus during the first trimester, and can cause fetal anemia during the second and third trimesters. Many ob doctors don't feel that the 2% risk is worth the worry.... Good luck! P.S. Try oatmeal baths for the itch. It works temporarily. Unfortuneately, you have to wait out the symptoms.There is no quick cure :O(