Two weeks ago, I started with a sore throat and runny nose. As the week progressed, I experienced nausea, joint pain, low grade fever, lacked energy and had upset stomach. I went to the doctor who tested me for the flu, which was negative. On Thursday, my son came home from school stating they had sent several kids home who were running a fever and had a rash. He said the nurse called it Fifth Disease and he had the rash on his upper arms and armpit area. He stated he had been feeling fine. On Sunday, when I was actually feeling better, I noticed I had a rash develop on my two middle knuckles. When I took off my shoes, I had a spotty rash all over my feet and side of my ankles. On Monday morning, I woke up to swollen hands and feet. I also felt like someone had beaten my elbow, knees and ankles with a baseball bat. It was difficult to move. On Tuesday morning, I woke up from a numb feeling in several fingers. I returned to the doctor the next day because this was freaking me out and was informed this disease produces the effects of arthritis in adults and these effects would least several weeks. Today, it has been two weeks and the rash has progressed up the bottom portion of my legs. It feels prickly at times and is red and inflamed looking. I am very thankful my son has not experienced the same symptoms I have because it has been miserable. Now reading comments from others and the duration of this illness is upsetting. I am a 43 year old female. Published: September 11 ::

I am 47 years. old. One week ago my 7 year old son and I developed fever and cold symptoms for a few days. My sons' fever disappeared quickly and he developed a sunburn looking rash on his face and arms, but said he felt fine. I saw him scratching at his arm, but he denied feeling itchy. The school nurse and the pediatrician said it was fifths' disease. I had started taking antibiotics for bronchitis with green phlegm. I soon developed a pink rash all over my whole body. I called my doctor and he said it would be reasonable to assume I had fifths' disease too. I finished the antibiotics and the bronchitis is improving, but now my hands knees and feet are a little swollen looking and I am having joint pain and stiffness in my fingers, wrists, elbows, shoulders, toes and worst of all in my knees. Now I am taking Advil for the pain (might I mention I just had back surgery less than one month ago). I hope these joint pains don't last too long. Published: September 11 ::

I got this in Mexico a couple years ago. For me, the rash wasn't very apparent but it felt like rheumatoid arthritis - very painful, couldn't walk normally, raise my arms, etc. This lasted about 3 weeks. My doctor did tests and thought it was fifth disease. Shortly after I started feeling better, my daughter (8) got this and for her, it was very mild but she did have the characteristic lace leaf rash (I didn't). That confirmed for me what it was. Published: October 06 ::

My 5 year old son has also acquired the disease. He had been getting low grade fever for past one week and now when he was actually beginning to recover this rash appeared on his face. Pediatrician termed it as 'fifth's disease.' I t has not yet spread to his other body parts and I pray that it doesn't get too much worse for him. Published: November 11 ::