Parvo virus (slapped cheek disease) in pregnancy

[growingbagpuss]

A friends toddler has jsut been diagnosed with Parvo virus - we have a lot of contact with each other.

I am 21 weeks pg, and wondered if anyone has any experience, or knowledge about the risks, and about what screening might be offered if i turn out to have caught it?

I'm not hugely worried, but thought I'd bat this one out there and see if anyone has any ideas!

[tinkerbellhadpiles]

Can't do links but www.womens-health.co.uk/parvo.asp

[Tiggerish]

I went through this little trauma when I was pg with dd. Saw the gp who sent me for regular blood tests (every 3 weeks iir) to check if I had picked it up.

They all came out negative, but if it had been positive they would have done regular scans on the baby to check that all was ok. there is a risk to one of the internal organs but i can't remember which - sorry.

hth.
Tigs.

[NewDKmum]

I am no expert, but I think the main risk is until week 20. You should definitely see your GP/MW/Consultant though. App. 60% of adult women are immune (can be checked via blood test), but if you're not, I would think you would need regular check-ups as mentioned by Tiggerish. In any event, I think it is important that you get seen to quickly. Wishing you all the best!

[WinnieThePooh]

I was told last week as school that 1 of the children in DD's class has this. I am 12 weeks pregnant. Have been to the docs for blood test and am waiting to get the results back.

[gingernut]

NewDKmum is right, the risk is in the first 20 weeks of pg. See here . Like Tiggerish, I had to be tested during my second pg for this. All my tests were negative (i.e. I had no immunity to parvovirus when I was exposed, but didn't develop any after the potential exposure either so I hadn't been infected and was given the all-clear). Even though you are past the 20 week mark I would contact your GP and seek their advice on whether to be tested.

WinniethePooh, sorry to hear you're having to wait for test results. You have my sympathies. It took several weeks for mine to come back (I think 3 weeks for the initial test which showed I was not already immune then another 3 for the second test). Hope everything is OK.

[Marina]

WinnieThe Pooh, if you were born and brought up in the UK you are VERY likely to be immune it is terribly common here in early childhood and usually goes undiagnosed and therefore unrecorded in your medical records. Hopefully your test results will come back and reassure you very soon
Monitoring after exposure before 20 weeks if you turn out not to be immune is key. I had a scare too, and was told by my consultant that the main risk is in it remaining undiagnosed in the unborn child.
The risk of Parvo affecting your unborn baby is statistically small.

[growingbagpuss]

Winnie the Pooh, best of luck to you - I carried on doing some reading last night, and I agree with most of the posting, it seems the likelihood is you will be immune - at least you have taken the first steps - try not to worry too much.

thank you to all those who've responded - this is my first posting, so it was encouraging to get such a quick response

[growingbagpuss]

Winnie the pooh - have you had your blood test results back yet? Thinking about you.

[WinnieThePooh]

Just called the surgery. Been told it was an insufficient sample so I need to get another test. done. Have made an appointment for Tuesday.

[growingbagpuss]

How much of the flaming stuff do they need? I rang my surgery, and they saved bloods from my booking appintment when first pg - your midwife should have done "group and save" bloods on you - well the microbiology dept at the hosp are going to check my blood for the anti bodies. This will at least indicate if I had pre-existing immunity.

You could try the same - obviously if no pre-exisiting immunity you'd still need bloods done, so it might be worth just getting the vampires in again. Sorry.

[Mrsjaffabiffa]

One of our Due May 07 ladies Aprilmeadow went through this at about 23 weeks pg. She is on hols this weekend so I doubt she'll see this thread. She won't mind me telling her story, I'm sure. Her son caught it from nursery. She had the immunity test done and was not immune, she had regular scans for growth and some more bloods done a few weeks later if I remember rightly. She and baby were and still are fine.

It is before 20 weeks that there may be a problem, but even then it is a tiny, tiny chance of it causing a problem.

Best of Luck

[WinnieThePooh]

Just been for the repeat blood tests. Apparently I was all clear for Parvo Virus but need to get it repeated in a months time.

The reason I was told there was insufficient sample was for the autoantibody screening. She has now taken that so hopefully everythink will be ok with it.

I have made an appointment for the repeat parvo test for 1st May

[WinnieThePooh]

Been for the repeat parvo blood test today, should get the results next week.

[Twinmummyx2]

Oh i went through this too...when i was pregnant with 1st twins i think.(was def parvo...unsure about what pregnancy) DS had it...i had to go to gp to have an initial blood test to see if i was immune. I wasn't so had to have further tests until risk was over.....I think the first 20 weeks the baby is most at risk. But after that you have to be careful of 'iron'. It does something to your levels apparently and can be dangerous for baby if he starts going without too. So as a precaution i re-started pregaday and ate iron enriched foods for a few weeks.

(i never got the virus by the way-but all my children did)

[cazzybabs]

I am nine weeks and 2 of the children in the year (but not in my class) have it although you don't know you have it till after the contangeous stage. the main risk is up to 20 weeks. Sigh - I need to phone my GP...