Saturday, May 23, 2009

Sixth Disease, Fifth Disease or Rubella????

Anyone familiar with any of these conditions?




Our poor little 11 1/2 month old has had a fever and cold/cough for three days now. She has moments when she seems almost normal, she start to smile or play, but most of the time she has this winey cry, her thoat sounds sore and horse, her eyes look tired and she is very uninterested in eating or nursing. She will in little bits, but not her normal appetite at all.

Last night when I saw the spots appearing on her arms, legs and face I was hoping for chicken pox, but by this morning I could tell thats not what they were (no blisters). So we called the clinic and they said come in and they would take a look. They put us in the last appointment of the day. We ruled out strep throat rash by doing a throat culture and the Dr. at the clinic said it sould be Sixth Disease, Fifth Disease, a mild case of Rubella, or some other viral infection that has reulted in a rash. In any of these cases there is no "treatment". We are using Tylonal when her fever gets up around 103 or when she seems too uncomfortable (which has been often today).



It just SUCKS to not be able to fix what hurts my baby girl ... I want to cry right along with her. Let me know if your have any tips for home treatment or comfort measures. Its crazy that she is my 5th child and this is the first time I've dealt with anything like this (except that the older three had chicken pox 4 years ago while i was pregnant with our 4th)



7 comments:

Cheryl said...

Hi I posted on the Mckmama forum and clicked on your site I found this website with info about roseola or 6th disease. http://www.visualdxhealth.com/infant/roseolaSixthDisease.htm
shows that there is a real range in rash. My daughters was more like the first picture. I am sure you could search the other terms he gave you. I think the best bet is tubs or even a cool cloth on her head and chest will help with keeping the temp down.
Blessings
Cheryl

The Pifer's said...

I found you through April Rose, Im just a blog away (thepiferfamily.blogspot.com) please know I am here for you...

Praying for your family

Natalie said...

I found your blog while reading another, but I haven't seen that before. I think rubella was the closest my songot at 1 from 4 day fever after his 1 year shots. I have 4 children and we're expecting our 5th miracle in December. Nice to meet another mom who loves the Lord and her children
Nice to meet you,

Natalie in CA

ellasparkss. said...

Hi there,
I read your note while searching for info on a rash my son has, based on the info I've read and seen. You daughter might have Scarlett Fever, the symptoms are very similar. I would also suggest getting a second opinion from another doctor. Don't take any chances, Bless you and your family.

Anonymous said...

I found your post after searching for images through google for the rubella rash. My 13 mth old daughter just recently (abt 3-4wks ago)received five of her immunizations. Two nights after, followed a fever of 104 which lasted for nearly two days. But since then she has been fussy, runny and stuffy nose, decreased appetite, low grade fever. but at the time, we chalked it up as teething since her two top teeth are almost through. However, during her bath last night, i noticed a few red bumps on her belly and back. she cried all night last night with nearly no sleep and woke this morning to find the rash has now completely covered her from head to toe. my husband took her to the dr to be told it was rubella. (no mouth or blood culture) gave him a script of benedryl and told him to give her tylenol and warned it would get worse in the following days. my question, how is it rubella when she is up to date on her shots? also, wouldnt she have had to caught it from someone? Im taking her to the local er for a second opinion. my thoughts go out to you and yours as we suffer through what seems a similar illness.
ruthie

Pam Aaron said...

Hello... I found your blog via a google search for a rash that my 18 month old son has. And the picture you posted of your daughter is almost exactly like what my son has. He's had it for a few weeks now. Did you ever find out what it was? How long did your daughter have it? My son's started with what I thought was just dry skin spots. Then he came down with a virus that included a fever and cold. Everything else went away except this rash. His skin feels rough, kind of like sandpaper. I was thinking Scarlett Fever but when I had him at the ER because of his breathing when he was really sick, they ruled that out. I'm at a loss. I've tried lotions to rehydrate his skin and it appears to work a little bit..takes the RED down to Pink. I don't know anymore. I'm taking him to the dr's on Monday.

Anonymous said...

I think either way if anyone has a baby with this rash, go ahead and get a second opinion if it does not clear up.. Dont wanna risk Scarlet Fever which causes permanent damage to the heart :( I got my doctor to give me antibiotics even tho he told me it was Fifths disease. Well guess what? His fever was gone after 2 doses of antibiotics... So it was not fifth's. He had only had one for 3 days. Anyways, let us know what your babe had if you get the chance.

Mononucleosis and Lyme disease and Meningitis can all cause rashes. The list is endless. I am a nurse and it sucks, I have no clue there are so many childhood rash diseases.