Post-viral illness onset of symptoms

[melly4]

Hi, everyone. I have read so many posts here where people have had symptoms of dysautonomia following a viral illness and tick-borne illnesses. Has anyone developed symptoms after having a bout of fifth disease. My oldest son and I, and possibly my youngest son, have been symptomatic ever since we caught fifth disease 3 1/2 years ago. I have been very suspicious that this has been the root of most of our troubles, and have explained that to doctors I have seen. I know that fifth disease, caused by a human parvovirus, has been linked to autoimmune illnesses. My internist actually thought I might have had reiter's syndrome, because I had arthritis for so long after having fifth disease. Reiter's usually disappears a year after its onset. My symptoms just keep getting worse. Just curious.

Thanks,

Melly

[Aprilmarie52]

I was just curious, what is fifths disease? POTs runs in my family, but I didnt start showing symptoms until after a really bad cold/flu.

[melly4]

Hi, April. Fifths disease is a predominantly childhood illness caused by a human form of parvovirus. There's another parvovirus that infects puppies, and can be fatal to them. The human form causes a characteristic "slapped cheek" rash on the face and a lacy rash on the rest of the body. The rash lasts several days and their may be a mild fever and general malaise associated with it. The rash can reappear for months after the initial infection, particularly after sun exposure. Outbreaks seem to occur in cycles of about every 4-6 years, and most often occur in the spring.

For adults, the clinical picture is slightly different. There isn't as significant a "slapped cheek" rash, but there is the faint lacy rash on the body. There is fever, horrific pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints, and the general malaise that will leave you bedridden for a week. When I had it, I couldn't climb my stairs because my knees wouldn't bend, and I thought I was going to have to have my rings cut off my fingers because my fingers swelled so badly. I got it before my kids did, and I seriously thought I had rheumatoid arthritis until my oldest son got the "slapped cheek" rash!!

Anyhow, it is notorious for causing autoimmune reactions in patients after the initial onset of the disease. I've always been curious as to whether this disease caused my troubles, because the strange symptoms of IBS, heart palps, tachy, dizziness,etc. began after my bout with fifths.

Sorry, if my lecture on fifths disease was long and boring!!

[cindeebee]

Hi, everyone. I have read so many posts here where people have had symptoms of dysautonomia following a viral illness and tick-borne illnesses. Has anyone developed symptoms after having a bout of fifth disease. My oldest son and I, and possibly my youngest son, have been symptomatic ever since we caught fifth disease 3 1/2 years ago. I have been very suspicious that this has been the root of most of our troubles, and have explained that to doctors I have seen. I know that fifth disease, caused by a human parvovirus, has been linked to autoimmune illnesses. My internist actually thought I might have had reiter's syndrome, because I had arthritis for so long after having fifth disease. Reiter's usually disappears a year after its onset. My symptoms just keep getting worse. Just curious.

Thanks,

Melly

Not sure if you are still on here since this post is pretty old. But I had to reply. I have exactly the same issues as you. I believe my NCS worsened after contracting Fifth's Disease. It's been over 4 years since I contracted Fifths, and my NCS, let alone other autoimmune issues, all showed up after this. I'm 42 and hate all these symptoms. If you're still on here, I'd love to chat more about this.

Thanks,

Cindy

[jem15]

All my symptoms started after a flu-like virus at the age of 16, now 31. We didnt know what type of virus it was then and I never was thought to have 5ths disease since I didnt have the rash or other stuff. But, just this past year, I got a bunch of bloodwork done by a CFS specialist, and Parvovirus was the only virus I showed up positive for. Now it doesnt necessarily mean the virus I had at that time was the parvovirus, and parvo is supposedly common, so the blood couldve picked up on it from another time I had it, but nonetheless, the CFS guy felt is was a possibility that it was the parvo virus that started it all for me. There was one study I read and the people afterwards complained of dizziness, and a strong heat feeling, which are some of my main symptoms. Anyway, it seems like from what I read and just talking to different people, these viruses, no matter what kind, have the possibility of throwing people off sometimes.