Urggg....ds has the rash on his face. I have it all over my entire body. I am going to the doctor this afternoon, but I am pretty sure it is what we have. The bad news, we just got back from my brother and SIL's house, and she is pregnant. We broke out in the rash when we were there, and my understanding is you aren't contagious once you break out in the rash. She is almost 8 months too, and I think it is worse in the beginning of pregnancy.

So, I have a sore throat, and am totally fatigued. Ds is just fine. Anyone get 5th disease as an adult??

By Tayjar on Wednesday, March 19, 2008 - 03:14 pm:

Debbie - please confirm immediately if your SIL has been exposed. If she has, she needs to contact her doctor immediately. My SIL miscarried at 5 or 6 months after being exposed to 5ths at the daycare she worked at. I don't mean to scare you but my SIL started feeling poorly, like she was tired and getting sick, and within a few hours had miscarried. We don't know how long she had been exposed or any time table so I can't tell you that. I hope you all start feeling better.

By Debbie on Wednesday, March 19, 2008 - 05:15 pm:

I had a blood test done, but won't know the results until Friday. My doctor said that you are contagious when you have the flu like symptoms which occur about a week or so before the rash. Once you get the rash, you aren't contagious anymore, so my SIL should be okay. If I do have it, I will make sure to let her know. Also, my doctor said it is rare to have complications once you are past your first trimester. Hopefully, all will be okay. I just wish the school had let us know it was going around ds' class. If they had, we probably wouldn't have gone to visit, and risked exposing her.

By Dana on Wednesday, March 19, 2008 - 10:27 pm:

I didn't know adults could get it. You are the first adult I've ever heard get it too.

By Debbie on Wednesday, March 19, 2008 - 10:34 pm:

Dana, you can only get it once in your life, so it is mainly a childhood disease. However, I have never had it. Unfortunately, it is worse when you get it as an adult, you can get severe joint pain. Not looking forward to that.

By Joy~bundles on Thursday, March 20, 2008 - 01:20 pm:

Hi Debbie - I had 5th's Disease about 14 years ago, when I was 23 years old. I, too, thought it was a childhood thing, but apparently not! I remember having that lace-like rash and also feeling fatigued. It really was not too bad, and I don't even remember the doctor prescribing anything other than rest. He definitely warned me about staying away from pregnant women, though; however, I think with your SIL being 8 months along, everything should be okay. {{HUGS}}

By Eve on Thursday, March 20, 2008 - 02:13 pm:

Hope you feel better soon!