I am guessing my little guy has it although he is not in school his brother is and it is going around. He has an appt with the ped this evening but in the mean time does anyone know if it is itchy? He has had cold symptoms and a fever, has very bright red cheeks and has started complaining about how hot he is although he no longer has a fever and came out of the playroom scratching his arm that now has a rash on it too. I'm sure he could also just have some virus and be getting a rash to go along with it. His older brother always had hives following a virus when he was little.
edited: I know its most contagious before they get the rash. We had it go through the nursing home I worked at 7 years ago. I just couldn't remember if anyone complained of being itchy with it. Thank you to the two moms that have already responded and thank you in advance to any others :)
He has it.
thank you Cathy. I noticed that he seemed less itchy after he took his shirt off because he was "too hot" so we have been keeping him cool.
My son has had it and the rash never seemed to bother him.
It lasted for 2 days and then it was gone.
That brings back memories! One of my children had fifth's disease, and I'd never heard of it before. Your doctor will tell you what to do about it. Yes, in some cases it can be itchy.
The oddest think to me is that a child with fifth's is most contagious just BEFORE the rash shows up and you may not even realize your child is sick. And as far as I'm concerned, that's just not fair! :^)
The rash is normally described as "lacy" looking, it comes and goes, is normally mostly on the trunk of the body, and generally isn't itchy.
That said, the weather did just get much colder and drier around here, so he could have 5ths' and some regular ole' dry skin that's bothering him at the same time.
Good luck.
2 of my girls had it last spring 1 of them itched and 1 didn't. The Ped said that it is an internal itch so ointments won't help but keeping her cool did. I would have her go outside in a T for a few minutes and the itch would go away. She spent most of the time outdoors playing so she stayed cool with the least amount of layers.
