February 25, 2002
A mysterious rash is affecting hundreds of students in schools in seven states across the country. Although health officials can't confirm what's causing the rash, they do say that it doesn't appear to pose a serious health risk.
Students in Pennsylvania, New York, West Virginia, Virginia, Ohio, Oregon, and Washington state have come down with the itchy, red rash on the face, arms, legs, and body. None of the children has become seriously ill, and after a few hours away from school, the rash seems to go away.
In each instance, officials have tested school air and water samples, carpets, and clothing for contaminants and have found none. Most school systems have now ruled out environmental contamination as a cause of the rash; still, many schools were closed temporarily during the investigation.
Health investigators don't think the rash is the result of an infectious disease. Instead, they suspect it may be caused by a new virus that has yet to be identified, or a mutated (changed) version of a known virus like Parvovirus, the cause of the common childhood illness fifth disease. Students in the affected schools are showing symptoms similar to those of fifth disease (a low fever, cold-like symptoms, and a red rash that often begins on the face and spreads to the trunk, arms, and legs), but are testing negative for Parvovirus.
If your child complains of an itchy, stinging, or bumpy rash, call your child's doctor. He or she may be able to recommend lotions or creams to help relieve your child's discomfort. If you're pregnant and develop any type of rash (or if you've been exposed to someone with fifth disease or any type of unusual rash), call your doctor immediately.
Reviewed by: Steve Dowshen, MD
Date reviewed: February 2002
