Strange Rash with Fever

If its Fifths Disease and there's nothing the doctor can do for her I would still keep her home from school untill the fever is gone for at least 24 hours and most of the rash is gone. I found this form NIH.GOV

Fifth disease

Respiratory Fifth disease is an illness caused by a virus that leads to a rash on the cheeks, arms, and legs.

Causes
Fifth disease is caused by human parvovirus B19. It often affects preschoolers or school-age children during the spring. The disease is spread by contact with respiratory secretions and usually return for 5 days. However, the rash associated with fifth disease may return for several weeks. Return of the rash may be brought on by sunlight, heat, exercise, fever, or emotional stress.

The first sign of the disease is usually bright red cheeks, which look as though the child has been recently slapped on both sides of the face. Following this, a rash appears on the arms and legs and middle of the body. The rash fades from the center outwards, giving it a lacy appearance. Over a period of 1 to 2 weeks, the rash completely goes away.

Fifth disease is also sometimes associated with fever.

If a pregnant woman becomes infected with parvovirus B19, it can cause significant harm to her unborn baby. Any pregnant woman who believes that she may have been in contact with a person who has this virus should talk to her health care provider.

Parvovirus B19 is also thought to cause other diseases, including an infectious form of arthritis.

The majority of adults seem to have antibodies to parvovirus B19 in their bodies. This indicates that most people have been exposed to the virus, and also suggests that many infections go unnoticed.

Symptoms
Rash
First appears on the cheeks, often looks like "slapped cheeks"
Spreads to the arms and legs about 1 day later, often has a "lacy" appearance
Fever
Joint pain
Temporary anemia -- this is only serious if the patient has a immune system problem and some other, existing form of anemia
Exams and Tests
Fifth disease causes a very distinct rash. Your health care provider will examine the appearance and pattern of the rash. This is usually all that is needed to make a diagnosis.

Blood tests that look for antibodies against parvovirus B19 may indicate infection. However, these tests are usually not needed, although they may be helpful in the diagnosis of aplastic crisis and persistent anemia.

Testing may also be done when there is a question of whether a pregnant woman has been exposed to the virus.

Treatment
No treatment is usually required for fifth disease in children. If fever or joint discomfort is present then oral acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) may be given.

Outlook (Prognosis)
Since this is a mild and generally benign viral infection, complete recovery can be expected.

Possible Complications
There are generally no complications in normally healthy children.

When to Contact a Medical Professional
Call your health care provider if your child has symptoms of this disease. Other disorders can cause similar symptoms and should be ruled out.

Alternative Names
Parvovirus B19; Erythema infectiosum; Slapped cheek

Update Date: 8/2/2009

1 mom found this helpful

Hi A.,
I feel terrible for you and your daughter. We went through a very similar experience with our oldest daughter when she was 3. I actually took pictures of her with the rash covering her entire body when she was feeling better because it was so unbelievable!! So, our experience was that yes, it was a virus that had to run it's course. The high fever landed us in the ER because of dehydration (her fever was 104-105) - so be sure to keep those fluids going. We did get a few different diagnoses one of which was hand, foot, and mouth (although she did not have anything in her mouth). We think that she may have had two different viruses at the same time. Anyway, there is nothing you can do except to keep her comfortable. The rash will eventually go away and it sounds like the fever is breaking.
Hope that she's feeling better soon!
C.

A.,
Its me again. I have just read all the letters of feedback sent to you. People are so helpful. From all the symptoms mentioned, this is very probably Lyme. LD is the fastest growing disease in the US. It begins in spring when nymph ticks come out. Goes all summer, on into fall. When the rash and often headache with fever go away, the disease has gone 'underground' and usually will return. I don't think you can suppose it is gone just because the fever and rash go.
Please look into this as I mentioned earlier.
Best of luck, N.

three children in my daughter's daycare class had/have it, incl. mine...rash and fever...it's a virus...one week and the rash disappears so i'm told...the other children look fine now...but it's true - it's very scary and upsetting to look at her...she was burning up last night, no temp this morning. did she have a cold recently? all three of these kids, incl. mine, had a cold first....trust the doctor within limits...after 7 days, go to another doctor. but especially if she's eating and playing and acting like herself, then less worry. if she acts listless or different than her usual temperament, time for that 2nd doctor I think. we haven't gone to the doctor yet...just a cool bath - but it's an inside rash, not like poison ivy, so regular baths are fine...it won't spread from the bath...and it's not even itching or bothering her - if she starts scratching, we're going straight to the doctor.

Sounds like 5ths!
When the rash is the worst it's actually telling you the virus has run its course as long as the fever is gone.It will go away...I remember the torso being the last to go because of the friction against clothes.My thought is that you just leave her skin alone-it will rid on it's own.

Hi A.,

It sounds like something my daughter gets when she has a fever. For the longest time she was breaking out in a rash right after the fever would break. I always thought there was something horribly wrong and they (the docs) always said it was a virus. Hers just went away. She also gets random hives when she has a cold and that too is a virus. Good luck!

M.

Hi A.,
I run a family daycare business and I have seen this rash sporadically for the last two months. One child's doctor told the parent that it was a reaction to sunscreen...what a crock. It didn't improve so they brought the child back to get the virus diagnosis. Subsequently this have gone through 6 other children so it is a virus. When the rash comes out they are no longer considered contagious but probably feel yucky. Good luck...it will clear up in a few more days.
M.

YES, That is most definitely fifths disease. The fever can last 5-7 days. The rash starts on face bright red and can spread to anywhere usually arms thighs and trunk. The rash can come an go and last for several weeks.. I'm surprised the dr missed that...Where do you live? my son just got a letter saying someone in his class has it which means he has been exposed. He had it in the spring fever lasted 4 days and rash about a wk then went away and a wk later came back for a couple days and that was it. Oh yes and loss of appetite... motrin and plenty of fluids.
Good luck,
D.

I have no clue but it's worth checking more on websites...hives (our son was covered from head to toe from a reaction to a medicine)? Roseola? Lyme disease (doubt it)?

I know it's frustrating to not know specifically which virus it might be, if it is indeed a virus. It you are still not satisfied, I would get a second opinion.

Best of luck and have her drink LOTS of fluids.

It could be just a virus, but I would get a second opinion! I also wouldn't send my child to school with a rash and a fever. That doesn't seem safe because she could be contagious. Good luck :-)

visit askdrsears.com he has descriptions of common childhood illnesses. Our oldest gets a rash everytime he gets a stomach bug and our youngest only had one once after he got measels from his mmr. It could be just a commone virus our ped tells us that its common when kids are fighting off an infection for them to get a rash along w/ it. Either way as w/ most illnesses once she is fever free w/o meds she is no longer contagious and can go to school.

That definitely sounds like Fifth disease, also known as Slapped Cheek disease. I actually had this early in the summer (adults rarely contract this virus). It's almost always very benign in children but much harder on adults; I ended up having very bad arthritis in my hands and feet for a few days and an iron deficiency. Adults also don't always get the rash (I kept insisting I had it and my doctor didn't seem to believe it until my blood taste came back positive). In children, once the rash shows up it is no longer contagious, but the rash can come and go for a while. Exposure to the sun can also make it show up. I would keep her home if she still has a fever. I believe my son had this when he was in preschool and I don't recall the rash lasting for weeks and weeks; I think that's the worst case scenario and now that the cooler weather is here can she wear long sleeves, etc. with the uniform?

could be hand foot mouth disease. Looks and feels bad but nothing you can do. Fifths is also called slapped cheek syndrome because the rash looks like someone slapped you. To make the rash feel a little better keep her out of the sun and away from flourescent lights which will make rashes worse. Fifths can be serious and can become chronic. If you are not happy with your Pedi get a second opinion take her to the er or to an infectious disease Dr.

Both my boys had the same thing but with out the fever. The doc also called it a virus. Unfortunately there is nothing that you can do to make the rash go away. My boys got it last week and they are now rash free. It takes about a week to go away. They just had it on their stomachs and backs.