Can fifth disease cause a flare up of symptoms?

[tylermom]

We do not have an official dx of PANDAS but the pyscologist thinks that both my boys have PANDAS. My 3 year old dd came down with fifth disease Easter weekend. Apparently it's going around my kids elementary school because the nurse sent a note about it on Wed. My 3 y/o does not go to school. My 6 y/o ds who i'm pretty sure has PANDAS came down with the bright red cheeks two days ago. That's when his PANDAS symptoms came out in full force. He is not having tics just horrible OCD and is very defiant. Even his teacher noticed a changed in his behavior the past few days. Can fifth disease bring out the PANDAS symptoms??? If so, when will the symptoms get better? The OCD is so bad that if things are not like he wants them he is yelling and screaming at us. I know fifth disease if a viral illness so i'm sure antibiotics would not help things. Is there any natural supplement I could give him?

 

Jen

[ibcdbwc]

I am no expert but in my opinion there can be multiple triggers. This is why they are adding PANS as a larger umbrella. The AS in PANDAS stands for "associated with strep." PANS is broader definition acknowledging there are several other triggers. Even allergies can be suspect. Also in my opinion, our kids are vulnerable any time their immune system is taxed. So-- all systems haywire when overloaded.

 

Antibiotics may or may not be useful in this case. I believe they could be used-- but only for their anti-inflammatory properties-- not for ridding the trigger. If I were you I'd try the most basic thing first. Motrin! For some kids, my ds included, this has an amazing affect. I don't know your history or whether or not you've tried it but it's worth a shot. Also I don't know if you've posted prior but--If you think you have a possible diagnosis you would probably want to get in touch with a PANS/PANDAS specialist. They may assist you in riding this out-- long term.

[nicklemama]

Although I have no experience w/ fifths disease, my DS flairs when he gets colds/upper respiratory viruses.

[junkyardjean]

On March 28, my dd had a fever for a few hours and bloodwork indicated "just a virus" - her behaviors went through the roof for about 10 days (she just turned 4 on April 10 - we even debated putting off her bday party because she was so rigid and defiant - she was really struggling). I hear you about the yelling & screaming because "things aren't right"... We are just now having some moments when she is back to baseline.

[sdrew99]

My 8 year old daughter was just recently diagnosed with PANDAS, and 2 weeks ago, both of my kids got Fifths disease. And there was DEFINITELY a flare in her behaviors - I actually thought it was strep rash again, despite just having been on abx. Once the virus went away, her behaviors calmed down.

[tylermom]

Thanks everyone for the responses. I figured his sudden onset of OCD, rages, and just plain horrible behavior was from the fifth disease. I sure hope this stuff goes away soon.

[lmkmip67]

My son is working through the body rash with Fifths right now. It seems like it has caused him to flare a bit. NOt sure as he is very itchy from it and that can make anyone cranky. But he has been more moody, OCd has been a tad worse and a vocal tic surfaced again. The only thing I can think of is the Fifths.

[mom24]

Yes! Our Dr told us that this is what triggered his behavior. It happened to us a few months ago (actually 2x in the past 6 months). My 4yo who has PANDAS, Lyme and Bartonella got very volatile. His OCD got very extreme and he was raging off and on. I was at wits end and we ended up doing a blood test and he had it. I find that he is constantly getting sick from the classroom and we are hoping for IVIG for him soon. I know it is not easy, but It will pass. Hang in there!!

[TwoSocks]

Yes!! I figured this one out afterward and it could have been a few things, but, he did have fifths disease. I am almost positive the flare up was from fifths. Our second worst ever (DS6) that lead to our first prednisone try, which resolved EVERYTHING in 2 days. Literally.

It's a longer story than that of course, I ahve got to starta post with our story soon. Anyway, YES!

[EAMom]

We do not have an official dx of PANDAS but the pyscologist thinks that both my boys have PANDAS. My 3 year old dd came down with fifth disease Easter weekend. Apparently it's going around my kids elementary school because the nurse sent a note about it on Wed. My 3 y/o does not go to school. My 6 y/o ds who i'm pretty sure has PANDAS came down with the bright red cheeks two days ago. That's when his PANDAS symptoms came out in full force. He is not having tics just horrible OCD and is very defiant. Even his teacher noticed a changed in his behavior the past few days. Can fifth disease bring out the PANDAS symptoms??? If so, when will the symptoms get better? The OCD is so bad that if things are not like he wants them he is yelling and screaming at us. I know fifth disease if a viral illness so i'm sure antibiotics would not help things. Is there any natural supplement I could give him?

 

Jen

 

 

Fifth's definitely can! It did for us.

 

I don't know if you can use anti-virals (either convential or herbal). ??

 

We ended up doing IVIG b/c of excacerbations from fifth's and then H1N1...she just wasn't getting back to the pre-viral baseline.