The chicken pox vaccine is recommended to prevent chicken pox and shingles. This vaccine has been used successfully in Japan for 20 years. In this country children who are immune-comprised have successfully been given the vaccine to prevent chicken pox for a number of years. Fifth Disease - It has been an interesting year for viruses. The latest occurance is fifth disease.
Fifth disease is a mild rash type illness that usually affects children.
Most adults have had this disease as young children. The symptoms of the first stage of the disease is an illness consisting of headache, body ache, sore throat, low-grade fever and chills that last two or three days followed by a second stage lasting about a week in which there are no symptoms at all. This is followed by a third stage that involves the rash. It begins with a bright red rash on the arms and legs. Adults may not experience the rash but instead may have joint pain particularly in the hands and feet.