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Dear Parent or Guardian:
It is our concern to promote quality health for the students in
our school and to control and manage communicable diseases. In cooperation with the Fairfax County Health
Department, we are sending this health information letter home because there
has been one confirmed case of fifth disease in the school and several other
students with symptoms of fifth disease.
Fifth disease, which most commonly occurs in children, is caused
by infection with parvovirus B19. The
child will typically develop a “slapped-cheek” rash on the face and a lacy red
rash on the trunk and limbs. The child
may also have a low-grade fever and cold symptoms a few days before the rash
breaks out. Usually, the child is not
very ill and the rash resolves in 7 to 10 days. However, people who have
sickle-cell disease or a weakened immune system from conditions such as
leukemia, cancer, human-immunodeficiency virus (HIV), or organ transplant
history may develop a more serious illness.
Finally, it should be noted that pregnant women who have been exposed to
fifth disease may want to consult their physicians.
A person infected with parvovirus B19 is contagious during the
early part of the illness before the rash develops. The infection is thought to spread in
droplets from the nose or throat of an infected person, usually when a person
coughs or sneezes. There is no vaccine or medicine to prevent parvovirus B19
infection.
The Health
Department recommends the following preventive measures:
-
Wash hands
often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Teach
your children to wash their hands frequently with soap and water for 20
seconds. Be sure to set a good example
by doing this yourself. If soap and
water are not available, alcohol-based hand sanitizers are also effective.
- Avoid
sharing drinks and eating utensils.
- Frequently clean items that may become soiled with nose or throat
secretions.
Excluding people with fifth
disease from school or day-care is not helpful in preventing the spread of the
virus, since people are no longer infectious when the rash appears. The rash may be mistaken
for other illnesses that do require medical care and would warrant exclusion
from school. Therefore, if your child
develops any of the above symptoms, please contact your physician. As with all illnesses associated with a rash,
a note from your physician confirming the diagnosis of fifth disease is needed
before your child can return to school.
If you have questions
regarding this information, please contact your physician or the Fairfax County
Health Department School Public Health Nurse, Carol McDevitt, RN at cjmcdevitt@fcps.edu.
Sincerely,
Jereme
Donnelly
Principal
Haycock
Elementary School
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