Parvovirus

Penny has human parvovirus which is otherwise known as Fifth disease (because it was the fifth childhood disease described). It's also known as "slapped cheek" disease since their cheeks get super red. She's got the characteristic rash, but one problem -- a fever much too high. Normally fifth disease has low temps of 101 or below. Tonight her's was 104.6. She was also having side pain so I called the on-call physician who happened to be Penny's regular doctor. After talking with her for awhile we went on in to the clinic to meet her there. She checked her over again and everything appears normal. The pain is probably in her spleen but it is not enlarged. So here's hoping the fever breaks in the next couple days.