Fifth disease - can he go to school?

[sphil]

Ds1 came home from sports day last Tuesday with a blotchy rash on his chest and arms and red cheeks. He'd had suncream on. I gave him antihistamine and the rash had faded by the next morning, so I assumed it was a heat rash. Since then the rash has come back when ever he's been exposed to the heat - though the red cheeks have only come back very slightly. He has a slightly runny nose and red eyes - again this comes and goes - but is otherwise fine. The rash isn't itchy at all. Googling today has made me think it could be Fifths/Slapped Cheek.

Can I send him to school tomorrow?
Should we go to drs?
Thanks

Consult gp first I think, can't recall how long it is contagious for. It can be very nasty for pg women to catch and pass onto their baby. ds caught it as a baby and was quite unwell for about 10 days.

They can go to school. The rash is a sign of the immune response, and means that they are no longer infectious. They are infectious before the rash appears (If it is Fifth that he has).

check out NHS direct. IIRC by teh time he has teh rash he is no longer infectious

They can go to school - he would have been contagious about 2 weeks ago, do you remember him being unwell then? My DS was fine when the red cheeks came out. Do inform school though, I'll be very surprised if they don't have a run of it.

I think not.
See gp.

The incubation period of slapped cheek syndrome is between 4-20 days. Physical symptoms are not usually present during the contagious stages of the virus. People infected with slapped cheek syndrome can pass it on without knowing during the early part of the illness but, when the rash appears, you or your child are no longer contagious to others.

from NHs direct here

Thanks - the NHS Direct site is pretty clear. Haven't heard that anyone else in school has had it - but will mention it tomorrow in case DS1 has been in contact with any pregnant women in school.