I thought DS was flush in the face from running around, but I realized that the flush wasn't going away after he'd been sitting still for a while. Upon closer inspection, I believe DS has Fifth's Disease. He's got that famous lace-like rash on his face and a little on his arms, too. He doesn't have a fever, just says he's a smidge tired (won't take a nap of course - LOL!! ).

I won't be able to get a doctor's appointment until at least Monday, but I'm wondering about playing with friends and school on Monday (morning Kindergarten). Is this sort of like chicken pox where once the rash has appeared he's no longer contagious? Or is it still contagious even now and I need to keep him secluded? Thanks for your help!!

By Semperspencer on Saturday, May 17, 2003 - 02:27 pm:

Check this site out, below is an excerpt from that site.

www.robynsnest.com/fifthsdisease.htm

Over 50% of children exposed to this disease will come down with the rash in 10-14 days. Because the disease is mainly contagious during the week before the rash begins, a child who has the rash is no longer contagious and does not need to stay home from school.

By Joy~bundles on Saturday, May 17, 2003 - 03:03 pm:

Thanks, Amy! That's just the info I needed!!

By Trina on Saturday, May 17, 2003 - 03:18 pm:

Hope he's feeling better soon! To be on the safe side, I would keep him home from school Monday until the cause of his rash is confirmed by a doctor. You *think* it's Fifth's Disease, but it *could* be something else. Depending on what it is, it may or may not be contagious. JMHO

By Jewlz on Sunday, May 18, 2003 - 05:24 pm:

a friend just told me a elementary schoolin wisconsin is closein its doors for a few till they get the fifths disease undercontrol ... seems alot of the kids are spreadin it

By Semperspencer on Sunday, May 18, 2003 - 08:47 pm:

yeah, i was thinking that if your child was in school within 10 days before you saw the rash, he may have infected other kids...maybe you should mention this to the school administration...

By Marsha on Monday, May 19, 2003 - 08:01 pm:

Just a quick funny....Last week Destyne came home from school, she is in second grade and she proceeded to tell me that there was a HORRIBLE disease going around in her classroom and that the school nurse would be sending a note home the following day. I asked her what it was...she was so distraught I was thinking SARS....She said, "Oh Mom, its five disease....I laughed so hard, she got mad at my laughing and all was well. BTW.....she never got it, but all 3 of my DK's have had it before.
Marsha

By Babysitbarb on Monday, May 19, 2003 - 10:41 pm:

My youngest daughter got the fifth disease before she was in school. It was going around the school and my oldest didn't get it but, were thinking she must have been a carrier of it because my youngest hadn't been around the school. I was told the same that they are most contagious before they break out and there no way of knowing before they break out other then a low grade fever. I took her to the doctor because it looked so bad and the doctor said it was just a bad case of it. I run a home daycare and 2 of the children that I watched at the time got a mild case of it but, that was it. None of the others did. We had gone to a wedding reception and I called the doctor before we went to double check to see if we should take her and they told me it was fine. People just thought she was red from dancing.