Fifth’s Disease. . . ?
My 3 year old son woke monday morning with a rash. He was diagnosed with Fifth’s Disease later that day. Wednesday night my 4 year old daughter suddenly started vomiting. She had no symptoms until about 10 minutes before she got sick. Now, Friday night, she is showing the same signs as my son did earlier this week. She had a low grade fever and now she too has the rash on her face, arms and legs. I’m pretty certain that she has Fifth’s disease as well. What I want to know is if anyone has ever heard of vomiting with the Fifth’s disease. From what I read children don’t generally vomit with it but adults can. Just trying to figure this crazy thing out. Any advice would help. Thanks!
I know what you are going through. Thursday my 4 yr old daughter broke out in a rash on her face arms and front legs and was diagnosed with fifth. . . Friday she was worse with a fever and terrible cough and she was not eating just sleeping I brought her back to Dr. and he said it’s the virus and she would be fine the next day well. . . she vomited last night and this evening she is complaining of headaches it’s horrible. My 2 yr old had a red face for 1 day last week and it was over this is crazy. The Dr. said that the virus is different this year a little stronger. . . from one worried mom to another good luck and take care. Hope it helps to know your not the only one it helps me in a funny way.
I just wanted to give you some peace of mind by letting you know that the vomiting is probably not a telling symptom of Fifth’s Disease but I’ll let you know why your daughter may have vomited.
By the time the disease has manifested into a rash, the virus has incubated and taken hold. During this time the body is reacting the virus and the immune system is on high alert.
Two mechanism can cause vomiting at this stage in almost any infection. The T-Cells (white blood cells) are destroying the virus and the cells it has infected. These destroyed cells, if in the respiratory system have to be disposed of by the body. Tiny cilia carry the dead cells down the esophagus into the stomach to be rid of. The inflow of this small amount of cells can cause stomach irritability, nausea, and ultimately vomiting.
Second, when the body is fighting an infection much of the body’s resources are diverted to fight. Many times we don’t realize what’s going on and especially in a child who is active, this can rapidly drain the body of it’s energy. In an attempt to conserve energy, the body will reduce it’s energy needs in non-vital areas of the body such as the digestive system, extremity muscles, etc. This is why whenever we are sick we tend to feel nauseated, weak, and fatigued. It’s also why we recommend fluids as they do not require full digestion.
If food has entered the digestive system and the body is not working at full capacity to digest it, the food can linger in various areas and begin to upset the stomach or the lining of the intestines leading to nausea and vomiting.
I sure hope your little ones get to feeling better and hope you have some peace of mind! You’re a good mom!
Call a nurse hotline or hospital hotline or a doctor’s office and ask to speak to a nurse. They could give you an answer. My baby got it really young, like only months old, and it was bad. No throwing up, though.