I am posting anon because I am not out of my first trimester and am paranoid about having a miscarriage again.

So my good friend thinks she just got over fifths disease. And she thinks her husband has it. She has a 4 year old too, but she didn't think he had the firths disease.

How only would you wait to see her again?

By Rayanne on Sunday, July 11, 2004 - 10:07 am:

I'd ask your doctor.

By Lauram on Sunday, July 11, 2004 - 11:19 am:

You can actually call your dr and ask to have a titer (I think that's how you spell it). It's a blood test that will tell you if you've had fifth's disease before (if so you are safe to be around her). I don't know how long until you can be near them again- I think they are contagious before the rash- but don't trust me on that one- call your dr and ask for sure.

By Anonymous on Monday, July 12, 2004 - 08:07 am:

Looks like I really should get a test to see if I got the disease if I want to spend time around her son.

What are the symptoms and when do they appear?

Four to twenty (4-20) days after exposure, some children will experience a low grade fever and tiredness. By the third week, a red rash generally appears on the cheeks giving a "slapped face" appearance. The rash may then extend to the body and tends to fade and reappear. Sometimes, the rash is lacy in appearance and may be itchy. Some children may have vague signs of illness or no symptoms at all.

By Babysitbarb on Monday, July 12, 2004 - 09:51 am:

They think my neice had the fifth disease a few months ago and my DSIl is pregnant and they did a blood test on her to make sure she didn't have it and she was fine. My DB and DSIl just thought she was broke out from her car seat. I mentioned it to them because my youngest had it when she was 5. The doctors weren't for sure but, thought it looked like it.
They are only contagoius before they actually break out and there is not much of a warning and sometimes they run a low grade fever and you don't even realize why until they break out.