What to Do If Your Child Has a Fifths Disease Rash
If your child is showing symptoms of fifths disease, your primary care provider should be consulted immediately. The disease may be difficult to diagnose in the absence of a rash, so your healthcare provider should perform a physical examination and ask for a complete medical history. If the child has been exposed to any type of infection in the past, such as Hand Foot and Mouth disease, it is important to notify your healthcare provider so that he or she can perform a full examination and conduct tests.
Is Hand Foot and mouth the same as fifths disease?
If you’re wondering if a rash that looks like a hand, foot, mouth or other part of the body is the same as the rash from fifths disease, don’t worry. The rash is usually mild and doesn’t spread. However, if you’re pregnant, you should discuss the risks with your healthcare provider. You can also take acetaminophen to help ease the symptoms. The fifth disease virus can affect red blood cells, which carry oxygen throughout the body. People with blood disorders and those with a weak immune system are particularly vulnerable.
In addition to the rash, you might experience sore throat, diarrhea, and red eyes. You may also notice that your joints swell. This can happen in adults, teenagers, and children. The rash may be on the hands, feet, knees, and ankles.
How do you treat fifth disease?
When a child has a fifth disease rash, the first step is to contact your healthcare provider for a diagnosis. The rash is often painful and can appear on one or more parts of the body. The rash can last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. The rash is typically not contagious, but it can be passed from one child to another. It is not a life-threatening condition, but it is important to contact your healthcare provider as soon as you notice the rash.
A healthcare provider will ask about your child’s symptoms and conduct a physical exam. Once the healthcare provider has performed the physical exam, he or she will examine the rash. The rash is very distinctive from other rashes that your child might experience. In some cases, the healthcare provider will also run blood tests to confirm the diagnosis. Depending on the age of your child and the severity of their symptoms, your healthcare provider may prescribe a course of treatment. Since fifth disease is caused by a virus, antibiotics will not help the condition.
Can kids go to school with fifth disease?
There are two basic ways to tell whether your child has fifth disease: a rash and a fever. If your child has a rash, you can safely send him to daycare or school. However, if your child is contagious, it is best to keep him home for a few days. In most cases, the rash is temporary. The symptoms of fifth disease are usually mild and go away within seven to ten days. However, if your child is ill, you should contact your child’s primary care provider.
The disease can be spread through respiratory droplets and blood. It can occur in adults and children of any age, but it is most common in young children. The rash appears about four to 21 days after an exposure. After the rash appears, your child is no longer contagious. But, it is important to practice good hand hygiene and disinfect surfaces that your child may touch.
How long should kids with fifth disease stay home?
While most cases of fifth disease are mild and go away without treatment, children may need to stay home for a few days. You can treat a fever and other symptoms with over-the-counter medicines such as acetaminophen. If your child has joint pain or swelling, you may want to limit their activities and prescribe ibuprofen.
While fifth disease is usually mild and not contagious, pregnant women should consult their doctor about possible risks to their unborn child. Because of the risk of transmitting the virus to an unborn child, it’s important to avoid direct contact with sick people, and to use hand sanitizers immediately after touching skin.
