Dear South Row Families,
Unfortunately we did not escape the stomach bug as I had hoped. Most of the cases have been in 1st grade but there are a few here and there in other grades as well.
Flu B is also impacting some families and strep throat continues to make guest appearances across all grades.
One illness that is new to the group is Fifth Disease. Fifth Disease is not considered to be a serious illness. With that said, it can be passed from a pregnant mother to her fetus which can (in some cases) be serious. This is only an issue if the mother has never had it before, and since Fifth Disease is so common, a primary infection as an adult is rare. If you have any questions about Fifth’s Disease and pregnancy, please reach out to your doctor’s office. Here is some information on Fifth’s Disease as well as additional resources.
Symptoms of fifth disease
Many people with fifth disease have mild or no symptoms. When they do have symptoms, these may include a mild rash, fever, runny nose, muscle aches and a headache. But fifth disease can cause serious health complications for some people.
For example, children with blood disorders, weakened immune systems and cancer are at higher risk for complications. So are pregnant people, who should talk with their doctor if they have been exposed to fifth disease.
How do I know if my child has fifth disease?
Fifth disease starts off like many other viral infections. Because of this, it can be hard to know for sure if your child has it.
Before diagnosing fifth disease, your child's pediatrician will look at the rash. This provides the best clue. They may do blood tests to check for antibodies to the virus. Once you have had fifth disease, you are immune and cannot get it again.
What does parvovirus rash look like?
A bright red rash that first appears with fifth disease is what is known as the "slapped cheek" rash. Sometimes another rash that looks lacy appears a few days later. A second rash often starts on the trunk and spreads to the arms, legs, and even the soles of the feet. It may be itchy but usually goes away after about a week.
Even after a child is better, a rash can reappear weeks or months later. This typically happens when your child is hot, like while they are exercising or bathing, for example.
How does fifth disease spread?
Fifth disease spreads from person to person through respiratory droplets. Symptoms usually show up 4 to 14 days after being exposed to the virus, with the slapped-cheek rash showing up about 4 to 21 days after your child gets infected.
A child is most contagious in the first 5 days before the rash appears. The symptoms in the first phase are fever, muscle aches and tiredness. Once the rash appears, the person is no longer contagious.
Good hand hygiene is the best way to prevent the spread of fifth disease in school, child care, and at home. Remind children to cough or sneeze into a tissue or their elbow, but not their hand, and to throw away used tissues. It is also important to make sure surfaces and objects are cleaned and sanitized regularly.
When can my child go back to school or child care?
When you see a rash caused by parvovirus, your child is no longer contagious. Fifth disease is often mild and goes away with some rest and recovery at home. Your doctor may suggest acetaminophen for fever, aches or pain.
Source: HealthyChildren
Explanation of the rash: KidsHealth
Warmly,
Nurse V.
vandevoordts@chelmsford.k12.ma.us
