Slapped Cheek Syndrome

Updated on December 26, 2008
P.R. asks from Grand Rapids, MI
11 answers

My daughter has this just after a couple weeks of getting a newsletter sent home from her school that this was going around. Our Dr says this is a very minor thing but I just wanted to hear from other parents, did everyone in the house get it? How long did it last for you and anything else you might want to share. Thanks a bunch!!

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So What Happened?

Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences with me,Im not so worried anymore.Ive racked my brain
to make sure she wasnt around anyone who was pregnant,cant think of anyone, thank God!!
Thanks again and Happy Holidays!!!

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R.S.

answers from Detroit on

Hi Pricilla,
It is not serious for the kids. both of mine have had it. But what did happen is I also got it but it can be very different in adults. My feet started itching severly and my hand swelled up and were very sore to move. I ended up going to the doctor and was tested for a couple different things but it came back that I had fifth disease. The good news is I should never get it again.

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A.F.

answers from Detroit on

Hello, It's been a while since my children got something like that, but I do remember thinking it was more serious then it was.. then i looked it up on line and saw it was not a big deal, It's like any other childhood disease, I don't think my other boys got it, only the one. Not much to worry about. it shouldn't last long.
A.

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J.T.

answers from Grand Rapids on

It is called fifths disease, and supposedly they are no longer contagious after the "slapped cheeks" appear...but we were around our friends kids after they all had the slapped cheeks appear and our kids still got it...it did pass from one child to the next (i have three)...but the only thing you have to worry about is exposing anyone that is or could be pregnant in their first trimester...if you do expose anyone that is pregnant in that phase...then they need to see a doctor.

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K.A.

answers from Saginaw on

If I`m not mistaken, this is also called fifths disease? I think the only thing you need to be concerned about is being around anyone who is pregnant. Ask your Dr. Other than that~ I`ve done daycare for years and it`s like a common cold-some get sicker than others. No big deal at all.

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N.O.

answers from Detroit on

I think this is Fifth disease . . . if so, it's minor for children and adults but can be fatal for a fetus. So if you know anyone who's pregnant, please take precautions around them. I was warned about Fifth disease when I was pregnant because I live a couple doors down from an elementary school where there was a similar outbreak.

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B.M.

answers from Lansing on

my daughter had this maybe 2-3 yrs ago. it nothing to really worry about. i didn't even know what she had until a friend of mine told me. she did get small fever before the rash came. yes her cheeks looked like they were "slaped" and if i remember right she also had a lacey looking rash all over her body. the only time they are contagious is when they have a fever. my son never got this after my daughter. good luck

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R.C.

answers from Detroit on

this is also known as fifths disease.it is fairly common.my oldest grand-daughter had it when she was in kindergarten.it goes away by its self.it looks like the child hasbeen slapped on the cheeks,worried me when it first happened i didnt want anyone to think i slapped her.if you need to take her to her ped and have her checked just so it is on record.it looks like the measles in a bad case.good luck.
R.

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V.G.

answers from Grand Rapids on

One of my daughters had it, but no one else in the house got it. I know my mom, who lives with us, was concerned because she works in a day care and didn't want to spread it to those kids, so she took some extra precautions. It ran it's course and I don't remember it lasting all that long. It obviously didn't leave much of an impact on me, because I don't really remember that many details - and it was only last year!! The ironic thing, it was the youngest who isn't in school - we're not sure how she got it. It also has another name but I can't remember for sure what it was.

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R.B.

answers from Grand Rapids on

Hello P.,
To ease your worries, I don't think Slappped Cheek (also called Fifths Disease) is serious for children. My Mom-in-law taught first and second grade for years and her students were always passing it around.
However, Slapped Cheek can be very serious for pregnant women. If a pregnant woman has never had Slapped Cheek before and she is exposed to it, it can cause a miscarriage or abnormalities in the fetus, particularly if the exposure occurs early on in the pregnancy. That being said, I would try to keep your daughter away from pregnant women if at all possible (might be hard with Christmas approaching) or at least let them know that she has Slapped Cheek so they can be informed.
Hope you are all well soon.
Rachael

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S.C.

answers from Lansing on

P.,

I have never heard of such a thing, what is it?

S.

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C.M.

answers from Detroit on

I have worked in schools many years, but my daughter has not had this yet. It really is no big deal for them to have this. I have sent many children tot he office with this and they acted normal all day, but the bright red cheeks are a give away. They just had to stay home until the doctor says they are no longer contagious. It is a pretty good bet that everyone in the house will get it, unless they have already had it.

FYI most ob's will doa blood test on a pregnant woman who is around children on a regular basis to make sure they have already had it, so that it will not be an issue for them.

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