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I heard something the other day from a friend of mine and thought you guys could chime in and tell me what you thought. My friend was worried about having RA, different tell tell signs and the like. Well, she spoke to her dr and he ran tests, etc, but he shared with her that he thought RA came from people coming in contact with a child who ha fifths disease, and never had it themselves as a child. have any of you heard this before? I ask because just weeks before I started to develop symptoms, my son came down with a rash, cold stuff. It was very interesting to me to hear this theory..anyone else? never heard of that particular theory... [QUOTE=schell]..have any of you heard this before? I ask because just weeks before I started to develop symptoms, my son came down with a rash, cold stuff. It was very interesting to me to hear this theory..anyone else? [/QUOTE]
I haven't, however allow me to suggest that you speak with your rheumatologist and your primary care physician as well as seeking an opinion from an infectious disease physician. In your position I would also inquire regarding more information from my friend and her doctor: I am sure that many of us here would be very interested in how and why he reached this conclusion and whether there are any studies backing the conclusion.

Often erythema infectiosum in adults does result in long-lasting joint inflammation and irritation, but a simple joint aspiration and laboratory examination of the fluid is diagnostic. There is a difference in fluid analysis, or so I understand, between adult erythema infectiosum/fifth's disease and RA.

Logically, if RA was caused by a readily diagnosed and confirmed viral condition, i.e. erythema infectiosum, that virus should be readily cultured from affected joints, yes? If this conclusion holds any water it seems rational that researchers are actively pursuing the connection and your friend's physician should be able to point out where and how research is taking place.

Edited to clarify statement re: infectious disease physician.
Spelunker2009-10-31 11:56:21I remember either being asked about 5th's disease or tested for it during onset but it's kind of a blur.... I hadn't been near a child with it or had any symptoms of it myself. If memory serves I too was questioned about a number of disease exposures during the diagnostic procedure. Fifth's disease was one that my RD indicated could cause joint pain and swelling, however I do not remember any connection being made between Fifth's and RA.
[quote] Excerpt from http://www.arthritis.org/disease-center.php?disease_id=11
Adults can also become infected with the virus and develop fifth disease. Adults tend to have a more severe flu-like illness, but seldom develop the rash. Adults with the disease are much more likely than children to develop joint symptoms. These symptoms usually clear up within two weeks, but as many as 10 percent of adults who develop joint pain will have prolonged, sometimes chronic, symptoms.

Copyright © 2009 Arthritis Foundation. All Rights Reserved.[/quote]

Excuse my ignorance but what is 5th disease? Talking of colds and rashes though, my colleague at work said that as a child he had stills disease. It went into remission in his 20's. A seriously bad flu in his early 40s brought on his RA which has claimed a couple of shoulder blades, a couple of hips and most of his finger joints. He totally blames the flu virus.... so maybe there's something in that... dont know for sure tho.Well, if I am reading this right, then you would develop the symptoms, but your blood work would be normal if it were fifths disease, right? My blood work has never been normal.Has always shown a high RF and high CRP. Hmmm. Maybe he is just a man with a theory. :) ah yes, Schell...... [QUOTE=babs10]ah yes, Schell...... gotcha!  thanks. [QUOTE=wills08]...what is 5th disease? ...[/QUOTE]
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/revb/respiratory/parvo_b19.htm
[quote]Fifth disease is a mild rash illness that occurs most commonly in children. The ill child typically has a "slapped-cheek" rash on the face and a lacy red rash on the trunk and limbs. Occasionally, the rash may itch. An ill child may have a low-grade fever, malaise, or a "cold" a few days before the rash breaks out. The child is usually not very ill, and the rash resolves in 7 to 10 days.
What causes fifth disease?

Fifth disease is caused by infection with human parvovirus B19. This virus infects only humans. Pet dogs or cats may be immunized against "parvovirus," but these are animal parvoviruses that do not infect humans. Therefore, a child cannot "catch" parvovirus from a pet dog or cat, and a pet cat or dog cannot catch human parvovirus B19 from an ill child.[/quote]
[QUOTE=schell]Well, if I am reading this right, then you would develop the symptoms, but your blood work would be normal if it were fifths disease, right?[/quote]
Blood or joint fluid would demonstrate parovirus antibiodies and as with any viral infection laboratory analysis of blood would show shifts.
[quote] My blood work has never been normal.Has always shown a high RF and high CRP. Hmmm. Maybe he is just a man with a theory. :) [/QUOTE]
Joint pain, fatigue, etc., are all hallmarks of adult erythema infectiousum. The same signs are sometimes indicative of RA. However, to say that infection with erythema infectiousum causes RA is, at least to me, less a theory than a WAG.

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