March already/ slap cheek

This week we continue to see "slap cheek" virus, This virus has several names including fifth disease ( if you are planning on goggling it)
Just like Hand Foot Mouth, this is a fairly contagious rite of passage.
Most people get it while they are still children.
The symptoms are quite variable. Some kids don't seem too impaired, while on the other more unfortunate end of the spectrum, others have high fevers on and off for several weeks.
Most of the kids will at some points have very red, chappy warm cheeks followed by a lacy mottled rash up and down the body. It tends to like the arms and legs more than the trunk.
Some kids will be very achy and fussy with this virus.
Very rarely kids can get quite ill with this... in 22 years here I have NOT seen that happen, so relax, but remember Nurse Judy's rule.....any fever that is lasting 4 or five days needs to be checked on.
The most important thing about slap cheek is that it can be dangerous to a fetus.
Most women had this as a child and are therefore not at risk. But since most people also don't really know if they had it or not, It is best to avoid contact with pregnant women as much as possible if your child has been diagnosed with this.

We have also been seeing quite a bit of conjunctivitis.
For very young children, goopey eyes can also signal an ear infection, so it may be worth an office visit.

Bronchiolitis continues out there as well.

Stay well
~Nurse Judy