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Fifth disease

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Posted 6/9/2009 1:33 AM (GMT 0)
My daughter just came down with a rash and doctor said it was fifth disease.  For the past couple of weeks my hands and feet are more swollen and my knees are killing me.  I don't know if it is the lupus or fifth disease.   Has anyone ever had or know someone with fifth disease?

Anne

Posted 6/9/2009 2:19 AM (GMT 0)
Here is what I found:

"What's Fifth Disease? Especially common in kids between the ages of 5 and 15, fifth disease typically produces a distinctive red rash on the face that makes the child appear to have a "slapped cheek." The rash then spreads to the trunk, arms, and legs. Fifth disease is actually just a viral illness that most kids recover from quickly and without complications."

From that description, it doesn't sound like your issue has anything to do with your daughters.

Hope that helps,
Posted 6/9/2009 2:51 AM (GMT 0)
My daughter had Fifth's at about age 10 or 11.  She had a rash and fever - but didn't feel too terribly bad.  The doctor dx'd it and I think she may have been given an antibiotic, but I really can't remember.  She recovered quickly and without complication.  Nobody else in the family came down with it.

Posted 6/9/2009 12:49 PM (GMT 0)
Fifth Disease is a viral disease. In children, it can cause a fever and then a rash on the cheeks that really does look like their cheeks have been slapped. One of my kids had it over Christmas break this year.
In adults, here is some info:
Symptoms of Adult Fifth Disease
Unlike a child's fifth disease symptoms, adults can develop 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 goes away in a week or two, but can last for several months.

Adults can also get a rash with fifth disease, but it is most often absent or does not have the "slapped cheek" look that is seen in children (see Fifth Disease Pictures).

I have a friend who had Fifth disease as an adult. She had the joint pain and that was it. If you Google "adult fifth disease" you can find lots of info.
Posted 6/9/2009 1:18 PM (GMT 0)
Our children just got over Fifth Disease (or rather the main dose of it, they are still getting the re-occurring rashes), your joint pain can DEFINITELY be caused by this and unfortunately it can last a few weeks to even a year. Like alli sunshine says, Google it...you will find many articles with loads of info for you. We had an outbreak in our school and friends of ours had it as well, the mom started getting achy fingers and since she already has arthritis she went to speak to her doctor, he told her he thought she may have Lupus. Of course this scared the crude out of her, but after it was apparent her daughters had Fifth it fit the puzzle and it turned out that was what she had as well. There is a blood test that can be done that will show specific antibodies that your body produces in response to fifth disease, so that may set your mind at ease.

Tessa
Posted 6/9/2009 3:05 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks guys for the information. I am going to make a appointment with the doctor to run the blood test for it.

Anne
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