Some Journey

Fifth Disease

Sounds scary. Looks even scarier. It's not. It is called Fifth Disease because it was the fifth common childhood illness to be officially identified and labeled by the Amer. Academy of Pediatrics as exactly that: common childhood illnesses.
Sydney had a rash which very much resembled heat rash on her neck and upper chest and upper back on Saturday and Sunday. She had been wearing a cheap necklace that I picked up at Walmart, so I figured it was a reaction to the necklace. I told her not to wear it again for a week or so. Then this morning, she awoke looking like someone had slapped her on both cheeks, and the rash had spread to her entire torso, upper arms and thighs. No fever. No other symptoms. I called the doctor to verify. He said it sounded like classic Fifth Disease (which was the conclusion I had come to after skimming internet photos and descriptions, and from remembering having read it about it in What To Expect the Toddler Years). He said, "It's contagious, but nobody cares so we send 'em to school anyway. No harm. It's just no big deal. It doesn't hurt. Doesn't burn. Rarely even itches. Requires no treatment." Just looks weird (to quote Sam).
The Dr. did say that women in their first trimester of pregnancy shouldn't be exposed to it if they've never had it, though most have whether they know it or not.