Three Cases Of Fifth Disease At A Colorado Springs Elementary School

By Stephanie Wurtzs.wurtz@krdo.comFollow me on Twitter @ www.twitter.com/stephaniewurtz

COLORADO SPRINGS – It’sa sometimes hard to diagnose virus that’s rearing it’s head at one local school. It’s called Fifth Disease and it attacks children, leaving behind symptoms that make it hard to differentiate it from the common flu.

Weeks after being exposed, a person might show a runny nose, sore throat, or a mild fever. Later, the bright red rash shows up and that’s the true hallmark. It starts on the cheeks and then spreads outward to the trunk and limbs.

The illness is mild in most cases. A Madison Elementary School parent sent NEWSCHANNEL 13 an email, concerned her child had Fifth Disease symptoms. She was even more concerned two other students at the school also had the disease and that the school didn’t let parents know.

“We have done our homework,” says Elaine Naleski, spokeswoman for School District 11, “we’ve checked into this and there’s really no reason to be alarmed.” District 11 has confirmed three cases of Fifth Disease at Madison Elementary.

“When a student gets the rash,” Naleski says, “which is red cheeks, that’s too late as far as being contagious.” A child with the rash is no longer contagious. It’s before a child has any symptoms that they can expose others. Fifth Disease is passed through sneezing, coughing or sharing drinking cups.

“We try to keep the kids healthy,” says Naleski, “wash their hands, those things you try to teach your kids.” D-11 says the health department didn’t advise any special precaution because of the three cases. “If the student feels ok and can come to school, that’s fine,” Naleski, “if the student feels too sick to come to school, say home.”

Wednesday, students at Madison went go home with a note, alerting parents that their child may have been exposed to Fifth Disease. District 11 says right now, there’s no concern that the disease is spreading at any other schools.

But if you suspect your child may have it, keep him or her at home. If someone with a weakened immune system or Sickle Cell Anemia is exposed, Fifth Disease can turn quite serious.