DOH: No outbreak of Fifth Disease in Polk schools

If your child develops a sudden rash, and they are already vaccinated for measles, it might be a good time to call their pediatrician to make sure it isn't Fifth Disease.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fifth Disease is a mild rash illness caused by the parvovirus B19.

More common in children than adults, a person usually gets sick with Fifth Disease within 4 to 14 days after getting infected with the virus, according to the CDC website.

The disease is also known as erythema infectiosum, so named because it is fifth on a list of historical classifications of common skin rash illnesses in children.

Florida Department of Health Deputy Press Secretary Brad Dalton said there have been no cases of measles in Polk County, nor has the department received any information about any viruses similar to measles in Polk.

Dalton added that parents should contact their pediatrician if their child develops a rash-type illness as to whether an office visit is needed, keep their child home from daycare, school or other group settings until resolved, and reinforce good hand hygiene in the household.

Lauren Daughtry of Winter Haven said her daughter, now 10 years old, had Fifth Disease about 8 years ago. The “lacey” looking rash appeared on her arms, legs and face, and she had a fever.

“We just had to keep her away from expecting moms because it can harm the baby if the mom is exposed,” said Daughtry.

At first, she thought it was an allergic reaction to a particular brand of sunscreen she applied.

“I had never heard of it,” she said. “And they couldn’t tell me what caused it. I’m not sure if they’ve discovered the cause now, but then it was unknown."

What doctors did tell Daughtry was that Fifth Disease, unlike measles, only presents the rash on the extremities and the face. “Sometimes it causes small sores in the mouth/throat as well. Her torso had no rash at all. Also, with Fifth Disease, once the rash is present, it’s no longer contagious. So unfortunately it spreads before you even know it’s there,” Daughtry said.

The CDC notes that the symptoms include fever, runny nose, headache and rash.

And although some Polk County parents are sharing their children’s experience with Fifth Disease on social media, the Polk County School system denies that there is an outbreak at the moment. One thing they are saying is that their kids are already vaccinated for measles.

A spokesperson with Polk County Schools said they checked with district staff and the Department of Health, and there is no record of a rash outbreak in the schools.

Jason Geary, who works in the school district's communication department, said the schools received a comment from the Department of Health in response to their query.

“The health department routinely monitors for rash illnesses across the county. We are also prompt to investigate outbreaks that are reported. The health department is not investigating any active outbreaks at this time,” said the DOH.

For more information on Fifth Disease, visit the CDC website, https://www.cdc.gov/parvovirusb19/fifth-disease.html

Kathy Leigh Berkowitz can be reached at kberkowitz@theledger.com or at 863-802-7558. Follow her on Twitter @kberkowitzthel1.