Rash Has Officials Scratching Their Heads... (First Case Of Small Pox???)?

Washington Post ^ | Washington Post

[The Magical Mischief Tour]

Follow the link due to posting restrictions... I posted this under Breaking News just incase. I appologize if it's jumping the gun. ...

[OK]

This seems way too mild for smallpox. Maybe cooties?

[The Magical Mischief Tour]

According to the story this has been going one for over a week!!!

They even closed the school once for it and they have YET to call in the CDC!!! WTF Gives?

[healey22]

heard on local news here that they think it is something called "fifth disease" - viral - but they are not sure.

[walden]

It sounds like it's widespread but mild. Believe me, if it were serious, they would have called.

[Snerdley]

Charter pipeline sucks. I can't get washington post to come up. Can you quote a little of the story? tia!

[The Magical Mischief Tour]

The story said they really had no clue what it was and they were just guessing. My question is why the hell has the CDC not been notified?

I would hope we would be very over cautious in any case of a mysterious infection, rash etc...

[spunkets]

Nah, it's been there for a week. It's a reaction to a chemical in the school. It goes away if they leave.

Could be they're allergic to one, or 2 of the deans.

[Random Access]

Rash Limbaugh?

[spycatcher]

Fifth Disease spread by the Fifth Column I wonder?

[The Magical Mischief Tour]

In the last 10 days, one-third of the 940-member student body has been ill, and the biggest number yet in one day -- 161 -- got sick yesterday.

And still, no one knows what's causing the illness, or how to stop it. Viral syndromes, allergic reactions or contact dermatitis from something in the air are all theories from the medical experts, said Principal Karen Poindexter. But as health officials, doctors and school staff members scour the information they have gathered, there's no evidence yet that proves one theory over another.

"There are answers the parents want, and we just cannot give it to them," Poindexter said. "We don't have enough information

[spunkets]

I should have added...

it's a hives like reaction.

[Jennifer in Florida]

Now they're saying it doesn't look like fifth disease, because the rash isn't "lacy" like fifth disease, it is more like small red bumps. It is scary that they haven't figured it out yet. I hope they figure it out soon and that it isn't anything serious.

[Cool Guy]

I totally understand that we have to well informed, but causing panic among the public is not going to help the matter in anyway and it would have made the Terrorists achive one of their primary goals. If the people in charge have everything under control, then I do not have a problem with this situation.

[The Magical Mischief Tour]

What if this is some of that nasty crap they reported al-queda (SP?) had aquired from the ruskies that would melt flesh or something like that?

What if its bio or chemical in nature? Maybe thats what they have no clue yet?

[operation clinton cleanup]

Chicken Pox? Acne? I have been warning people for years (since the 4th grade) about a cooties outbreak!

[blam]

Fifth disease

Alternative Names
"Slapped Cheek"; erythema infectiosum; parvovirus B19

Definition

An acute viral disease characterized by mild symptoms and a blotchy rash beginning on the cheeks and spreading to the extremities.

Causes, Incidence and Risk Factors

Fifth disease is caused by the human parvovirus B19 agent. It occurs most often during the spring with localized outbreaks in preschoolers or school-age children and adolescents. It is spread by respiratory secretions and the incubation period is to 12 days. The duration of the illness is usually five days. However, the rash may recur for several weeks and may be brought on by exposure to sunlight, heat, exercise, fever, or emotional stress. Erythema infectiosum usually begins with bright red cheeks producing a "slapped-cheek" appearance. Following this a rash appears on the extremities and trunk. The rash fades centrally giving a lacy (reticulated) appearance to the rash. The rash fades over a period of one to two weeks. This illness is seldom associated with fever. Parvovirus B19 is thought to cause other disease manifestations. In healthy adults it may be responsible for an infectious arthritis (particularly in women). In individuals with AIDS (or other immunocompromised persons) it may produce a profound anemia. This form of anemia is called 'transient aplastic crisis'.

(snip)

[Snerdley]

Thx, now can someone who can reach the post's site tell me what city this is in?

[Tennessee_Bob]

Wonder if there's new carpeting in the building? Or if the HVAC system has been cleaned recently?

[My Favorite Headache]

Listen I am all for laughing at things and laughing at overreacting. But something is wrong here...very wrong.