Fifths Disease?!!

vbhowe · November 2014

I'm a teacher and my school nurse told me Friday there was a case in my school. I got tested and the doctor said I shouldn't be to worries because I don't have the child but still nervous! Anyone else have experience with this?

Caileybug · November 2014

In my board, they transfer us to work from a different school if there is a case of fifths in our school. I told the principal early on in my pregnancy that I was expecting and she said it's protocol for them to move us.

coriej4110 · November 2014

I had fifths disease when I was a kid. I asked my doctor about it now that I'm pregnant, she said that I would more than likely be immune to it since I had it before. But if I know of someone that does have it, just to steer clear as a precaution. Hope everything works out for you!

marigold32 · November 2014

There is a huge outbreak of it in my town right now. I actually just discovered this week that it's dangerous when pregnant. I don't know how I've missed that bit of info til now. It's somewhat comforting to know that first tri is the biggest concern, but I'm still nervous about how many kids I have contact with who have had it in the past few weeks. :-\

ETA: I have no idea if I had it as a child.

cf101009 · November 2014

There was a case at my school too. I had to get the blood test and it turned out I had immunity. I must have had it at some point and didn't know. It was scary waiting for the results, I understand. I was assured that even if you are exposed to fifths, it doesn't mean anything bad will happen. The chances of negative complications are still low. Hang in there!

Sweetlill1 · November 2014

The good news is that once a kid has the rash, they are no longer contagious. The major worry is that the index case spread it to other kids who haven't started having symptoms yet and are contagious.

marigold32 · November 2014

Sweetlill1 said:
The good news is that once a kid has the rash, they are no longer contagious. The major worry is that the index case spread it to other kids who haven't started having symptoms yet and are contagious.

To me this is the opposite of good news, because you're contagious before you get the most identifying symptom. Before the rash, their symptoms could be attributed to any number of things (unless you are specifically on the lookout for Fifth Disease). People don't usually think twice about taking their kid out with a runny nose.

marigold32 · November 2014

marigold32 said:

Sweetlill1 said:
The good news is that once a kid has the rash, they are no longer contagious. The major worry is that the index case spread it to other kids who haven't started having symptoms yet and are contagious.
To me this is the opposite of good news, because you're contagious before you get the most identifying symptom. Before the rash, their symptoms could be attributed to any number of things (unless you are specifically on the lookout for Fifth Disease). People don't usually think twice about taking their kid out with a runny nose.

ETA: never mind, that's basically the same point you were making. Reading comprehension fail.

ETA2: and I didn't mean to make another post. Fails all around today.

rmaurer08 · November 2014

My daughter had this a couple of years ago, but I has forgot what it was until I just read up on it. For those of you who said you are immune, did you just request a test from your doctor to determine that?? Working with the public and getting exposed to so much (especially when you work with children who do not always practice the best hygiene) can be overwhelming when it comes to what it may do to your baby!! Best of luck especially to you teaching ladies!!

thelittlepear · November 2014

I think you're going to find it varies a lot place to place. I worked in a private school, and if there was fifths in the building, you got paid leave, until it was clear.

lrpht · November 2014

I am a physiotherapist working in pediatrics. I called my hospital's employee health services as soon as I found out I was pregnant and they tested me for immunity to: fifths disease, rubella, measles, mumps and chicken pox. Thankfully I was immune to all of them!

So if you were tested and your results come back that you are immune to fifths, nothing to worry about!

BBS! · November 2014

I'm freaking out now. My son and I had cold like symptoms a week ago and this week he developed a bumpy rash. It's very mild splotchy on the face and bumps on arms and legs. He's not acting sick anymore so I wasn't worried until I googled it

itshumpday · November 2014

I had fifths a few years ago. It was horrible. It attacks the joints in adults and is very painful. I actually thought I broke my arms in the middle of the night and after that each joint started feeling the same way. Everything from my neck to my toes. I had to go to the fire department to have my rings cut off. Towards the end of the few days I wasn't able to move on my own and finally they figured out what it was and two days of steroids I was back to normal. Just wanted to put that out there in case anyone starts getting the same symptoms. Not fun!

bmblebea · November 2014

@rmaurer08‌ I called my dr when fifths went around my school and apparently in the 1st visit blood work they test for immunity to fifths, chicken pox and a bunch of other stuff. So he knew I was immune and didn't have to worry

ChicagoChick14 · November 2014

Last time I was pregnant one of my students had it and the child's doctor actually called me to talk about it. He said as long as I was out of the first trimester, I would be fine. He told me to mention to my OB that I was exposed and when I did, the OB said it wasn't anything to worry about.

vbhowe · November 2014

Thanks for the responses! Hopefully I have an immunity, but the posts at least made me feel a little better till the blood test comes back

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