5th's disease more than once?

[Unicorn]

A couple of weeks ago I posted about a weird rash on my dd's thighs that spread to her calves etc. I googled and googled and nothing really fit. I finally decided maybe it was a weird case of 5th's, because most of it fit the criteria, but not all. About 10 days later dd # 2 got it, and now ds has it.

Ds had 5th's when he was 4. I thought I read that you don't get it more than once? Or did I just remember it wrong? Anyone else have a dc get it multiple times?

[Whisperlily]

A couple of weeks ago I posted about a weird rash on my dd's thighs that spread to her calves etc. I googled and googled and nothing really fit. I finally decided maybe it was a weird case of 5th's, because most of it fit the criteria, but not all. About 10 days later dd # 2 got it, and now ds has it.

Ds had 5th's when he was 4. I thought I read that you don't get it more than once? Or did I just remember it wrong? Anyone else have a dc get it multiple times?


I'm pretty sure 5ths is a one-time disease. Perhaps this is something else?

Did your kids have the ultra-red "slapped cheeks" ?

[Unicorn]

Well that's what's wierd. They didn't have ultra red, slapped, cheeks, but they did have red faces a few days before. They also had headaches, fever, etc. but spread out, not necessarily at the same time as the rash.

And w/ ds, he came in from outside and I thought he looked really red, but he has been in and out so much today, I can't tell if it is from playing, or if it is a slapped look. I noticed the cheeks about 3 hours before he showed me his legs though. It's really weird, but if he has it now, I guess whatever it is, it's contagious apparently? I don't know, I'm very confused over this. :blink:

[Whisperlily]

Oh!

Scarlet fever has swept our house recently. What you're describing sounds suspicious. You might need antibiotics to clear it up. It can progress in children and cause damage to the heart if left unchecked.

Even if the fever went away (as it did with my DS before the rash appeared) it is still possible.

[Whisperlily]

Take a peek at their tongues... see if they have a "strawberry" look to them, or if they have any white patchy areas. That can ALSO be an indicator, but not always present.

[Unicorn]

Ok, scare me why don't you. :0) I guess if it is still there in the a.m. I'll give the doc a call. Thanks!

[Hen Jen]

we had 5th's go thru our house, and it looked "lacey" on their arms. I took my baby (at the time) to the pediatrician and she knew right away what it was.

hope you all feel better soon.

[PamInMN]

My middle girl had fifth's for 3 or 4 years...... about a month or so each year...... it was the pits!!!! It seemed to come back in the summer during the heat....she was miserable. So yes, it does seem to recur..... it's just in thier system or something....... she is now almost 9 and has been free of it for almost 2 years.

As for it "catching"...... I don't know. My other two children have never had it.

[Beth in Central TX]

I'm pretty sure 5ths is a one-time disease.

I was told it was similar to chicken pox; once they get it, they're immuned.

[Unicorn]

Well, I looked at him during dinner, and he definitely looks like he's been slapped. Cheeks were still bright red, and the rash is now all over his torso and arms too. I had given him benadryl earlier, to see if it would help. Nope! Maybe it is one of those freaky things, I do know a few people who had chicken pox more than once.

[Suzanne in ABQ]

Is it possible that your ds's first case of "Fifth" was actually Roseola? That goes through the same progression of fever, then rash. Was he diagnosed by a doctor, or did you consider Roseola at the time?

I suppose it's possible that he could get it again. Out of the ordinary, but possible. As you mentioned, people have been known to get chicken pox more than once, especially if the first case was minor.

I also read that sometimes the rash comes and goes for a long period of time after the first case seems to clear up. This is especially marked in adults, but can happen in kids too. Did he have the fever this time, or did the rash just appear?

Oh, and the rash can occur any time from 3 days to 3 weeks after the fever/headaches/body aches. That's what makes it difficult to diagnose sometimes. Parents don't always think to associate a current rash with a fever weeks before.

And, Fifth's is contagious before the rash appears, but once the rash occurs, it's no longer contagious.