Since our family blog has been attracting many people searching for information on 5th disease and/or stiff/sore finger joints, I thought I’d give an update on my own experience. I previously wrote about this but will include a little history for those who have just joined us and are looking for answers. On Feb. 13th, I thought I had the flu and stayed home from work a couple days with headache, body aches and sensitive skin, accompanied by a low-grade fever. This was Wednesday and Thursday. On Friday I still didn’t feel quite ready to go back to work, but didn’t feel bad enough to justify staying home another day. The following Monday I noticed the rash covering my arms and legs, but there was no discomfort, and all signs of the flu were gone. I knew what it was as soon as I saw the rash because all three of the kids had already come down with it. The rash stayed for 3-5 days, progressing to the point where my fingers and feet were swollen and itchy. Ten days after my first flu symptoms I woke in the morning with my fingers so stiff and sore I could hardly straighten them. This was Feb. 23, two weeks ago yesterday. I used ibuprofen as needed and this seemed to help. I noticed a few days ago that the discomfort in my finger joints was gone (as well as my red, burning ears), so that stage only lasted about 1 1/2 weeks out of the 3 1/2 weeks beginning to end. I had read that it could last up to two months. Thank God that’s over, and that we only get it once in a lifetime! Now I have to keep lotion on my hands because they’re very dry from being swollen for so long. Okay, enough whining out of me. If only I could remember all the more interesting topics I have thought of writing about throughout my days… Any suggestions?
Filed under: Health, Pam | Tagged: 5th disease, feet, Fifth disease, flu, hands, itchy, stiff finger joints, survival, swollen
