Conference moira::parenting_v3

    DO you have any more specifics on the "purplish rash" ? Is it smooth,
    bumpy, all over, in one place, etc ?

    It is a flat rash ... and generally on the abdomen ...  it is
    apparently very characteristic ... the kind of rash that makes
    you take note of it because its colour is unusual.

    
    Some more info from a local:
    
    It should be noted that while 6 deaths does not seem like a lot,
    it is way above the average for this region in a two month period.
    As well, there have been those who have survived the disease in this
    time. 
    A surprise to the medical community here is that the Atlanta Center for
    Disease Control issued a warning that anyone in the affected age group
    should be vaccinated before visiting this area. 
    While the local program has been very thorough, there remains a problem
    in the University environment. Since the cut-off age is 20 for the 
    program, that affects only a percentage of those on campus. My husband
    who works at one of the local Universities in Ottawa says this is
    quite the concern there; that not all students in their early 20's are
    being innoculated.
    
    Monica
    

    RE: THE RASH
    
    My kids and I have been to the doctor because of a rash.  She said its
    Fifths Disease virus.  Its supposedly a respiratory virus.  Well, this
    week we've all got congestion and cold-like symptoms. I plan to keep a
    close eye on everyone now to make sure its not something else.  I
    cannot find any info here in notes about this virus.  Has anyone here
    heard of this one?  The rash is redish pink, smooth, located on cheeks
    and arms and legs mostly.  
    
    regards,
    
    lynne c.
    

    I remember reading something in Notes somewhere about Fifths Disease.
    I cannot find it in Medical, so presume it may have been in an
    earlier version of PARENTING>
    
    Just for clarity, the Flu like symptoms referred to are :-
    
    	Headache
    	General Body Muscular Aches
    	Fatigue
        Fever
    
    as opposed to the cold like symptoms which usually include runny
    nose and congestion etc.
    
    The stiff neck of meningitis is different from the stiffness you
    might experience due to the muscular pains of the flu ... Stiffness
    due to muscular pain is usually because the muscles are tensed due
    to the discomfort and will not be stiff if allowed to relax.  With
    meningitis, even when relaxed, the neck will remain stiff.
    
    You are right to keep an eye on everyone.  Don't panic though;
    just be concerned about these non-specific symptoms.
    
    Stuart

My recollection is that it's called Fifth Disease because there were five
common diseases of childhood (or maybe it was five common rashes of
childhood), and this was the fifth one.  It's so utterly innocuous
that it was apparently never worth giving it a real name -- in fact,
I think that the *only* symptom of fifth disease is the rash (and maybe
a low fever along with it.)

    
    I have a friend who is a 2nd grade teacher.  When she was 8 months
    pregnant a few students in her school got fifths disease.
    Her OB/GYN made her stop teaching immediately.  Apparently there
    is some risk to unborn babies whose mothers contract fifths disease.
    My friend then had to have ultrasounds once a week until her
    baby was born.  She never contracted the disease and her baby was
    very healthy when born.
    
    Kim

    It's official name is "erythema infectiosum". THis comes from a home
    medical encyclopedia I have here on my desk (its not something I commit
    to memory : ) "It comes very close to not being a disease at all. It
    has no symptoms other than a rash, has no complications, and needs no
    treatment. It can be recognized because it causes a characteristic
    "slapped cheek" appearance in children"..."The incubation period is
    thought to be from six to fourteen days".  Under home treatment: "There
    is no treatment. Just watch and wait to make sure you are dealing with
    fifth disease. Check that there is no fever; fever is very unusual with
    fifth disease. No restrictions on activities are necessary". It also
    says it is very contagious, but says nothing about danger to fetus'.
    For what it's worth...

Meningitis and Fifth Disease are very different diseases.  So that people
do not confuse the two, if you wish to continue the discussion of Fifth,
then please start another topic.  If you are interested in previous discussions
of Fifth, PARENTING_V2 topics 931 and 975 discuss this.

Thank you.

      Carol duBois, PARENTING co-moderator