Has anybody ever heard of Fifth Disease? - Children's Health Message Board

grandma.intense · 02-10-2007, 03:01 PM

My 6 yr old grandson had been feeling poorly and running a fever for a few days. He missed school for one day. The doc put him on an antibiotic. A week later he got a red rash on his face and body. My daughter called her neighbor who said that Fifth Disease is making the rounds at school...so this is most likely what he has. he said it itches and my daughter said it looks like his face got slapped.

I myself have had a rash since Christmas that is so frustrating! It comes and goes. I have eliminated all kinds of things, have changed detergent and shampoo, etc and I cannot figure out what is wrong. I am buying stock in benadryl at this point!

After a month of the rash, I started having these weird head pains that also come and go, and now my joints are hurting off and on.

I think I had Fifth Disease back in Dec and it is taking me a long time to get over it...in fact I have the rash today.
Any help? Have you ever heard of Fifth Disease in an adult?

Misty800 · 02-10-2007, 03:24 PM

Yes, they can. An adult who is not immune can be infected with parvovirus B19 and either have no symptoms or develop the typical rash of fifth disease, joint pain or swelling, or both. Usually, joints on both sides of the body are affected. The joints most frequently affected are the hands, wrists, and knees. The joint pain and swelling usually resolve in a week or two, but they may last several months. About 50% of adults, however, have been previously infected with parvovirus B19, have developed immunity to the virus, and cannot get fifth disease.

spongebobsquare · 02-11-2007, 06:47 AM

Hi there.
I hope you feel better soon.
I had Fifth's disease an an adult about 2 years ago. I had an awful time with joint swelling and pain for about 2 weeks. I could barely move my hands every morning. My hands and my feet really did hurt!

It will go away. The Dr told me sometimes it hits adult women really hard for some reason.

Hope this helps. Good Luck to you!
Jenny.

Jamie2703 · 02-12-2007, 04:32 PM

I had fifth disease about 5 years ago when my son got it from school....he had the slapped cheek look and a rash....I myself got a fever, the red cheeks and a rash that was on the inside of my arms ( from wrist to elbow ) that had a lacy pattern to it. My joints ached also....and unfortunately I was also pregnant at the time, but she was born ok. (it can cause anemia and congestive heart failure in unborn children and also birth defects) So it's a good idea to stay clear of pregnant women while you have it....it also has a 2 week incubation period, which means you have it for 2 weeks before the actual symptoms occur.