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Slapped cheek

9 replies

MsBranwen · 15/05/2017 13:35

I am 15+5 and have just been informed by the manager of the children's centre where I work that a child there has had slapped cheek. I don't work directly in that room of the centre, but am in the same building. Going to go to GP tomorrow to get blood test and will stay off work until I know if I'm immune or not. I'm wondering all sorts of things but one is, if I'm not immune how long should I stay off work for? Given that slapped cheek is really infectious and has a long incubation period and so it's likely if one child had it, others may get it too?

Anyone else been through this? Having a bit of a panic so would really appreciate some advice.

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2ducks2ducklings · 15/05/2017 13:52

I'm 15w5 today too!
When I spoke to my consultant a couple of weeks ago, I asked about slapped cheek as I work in a school. I'd wanted her to test me for immunity. However, she said they would only do the test unless there had been an occurrence of it which I could have been exposed to. Obviously in your case, I would assume they would test you for immunity.
She did say though, that if I've worked in a school for a good few years, the chances are that I've already been exposed to it and would have built up an immunity.
You are definitely doing the right thing by taking time off and going to the dr, the dr may possibly sign you off until your test results come back anyway.
But chances are, you're already immune and you'll be just fine x

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MsBranwen · 15/05/2017 17:28

Thanks @2ducks, I'm really hoping I'm immune, I've worked with kids for the past 11 years so hopefully I've had it without knowing before. If not then I'm wondering if I'll have to be off work for ages? Know it's better to be safe than sorry but only just started this job in March and really love it, so would rather not be off if I can possibly help it!

Hope you stay well and have a healthy, happy pregnancy x

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koalaoala85 · 15/05/2017 19:06

Hi, I'm a teacher and a child in my class had this a couple of weeks ago. I called my GP and he got virology to test my blood for immunity (they had stored the blood from when I first had it taken shortly after booking in). Within a few hours he'd called back to say I was immune. This is my 7th year of teaching so fingers crossed you're like me and have built up some kind of immunity without realising

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upforathird · 15/05/2017 22:02

Obviously years of working with children is a plus but the main thing is you were a child for many years! That's when you will no doubt have got immunity 🙂

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MsBranwen · 16/05/2017 16:30

So I just went to see my GP who told me that infections were only a concern up to 12 weeks and that I shouldn't worry and just drink lots of fluids. Am so confused! This seems completely contradictory to everything I've read! Am seeing midwife tomorrow and going to ask for second opinion. Argh!

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giraffe88 · 16/05/2017 20:38

Hi Msbranwen

I am currently seeing a consultant every two weeks as I have contracted slapped cheek whilst pregnant.
I called midwife when I thought I'd been exposed they tested my blood and it came back not immune the next day I developed a rash and they tested bloods again and it confirmed I had caught it.
Honestly this is such a nightmare situation my pregnancy is not enjoyable at the moment as it's filled with fear but fingers crossed you are immune after all 60% of adults are.
All the best. X

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MsBranwen · 17/05/2017 12:25

Oh @giraffe, that sounds so stressful, it must be so hard to just relax and enjoy being pregnant with so much regular testing and anxiety, really hope everything works out OK for you.

At the moment I'm having a really hard time getting anyone to take this seriously as a concern, neither gp nor midwife have offered a blood test. Am feeling so anxious and confused! Contemplating going for a private test and not sure what to do about work. Midwife said I'm fine to go back as the risk is no different to being out in the community, but still I feel really nervous!

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April1984 · 29/05/2017 10:47

Hi OP do you have an update on this? X

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MsBranwen · 15/06/2017 15:41

Just an update, feels forever ago! When I spoke to my midwife she said they wouldn't do a blood test as I'd had no direct contact with the affected child and that direct contact me and face to face of in same room for more than 15 mins. She told me it was fine to go back to work if I avoided that child's class as basically you can pick up anything anywhere, so just to be really vigilant about handwashing and not touching face.

So that's what I did! Had 20 week scan yesterday and mentioned it there but that all went well and baby looks healthy!

I still feel really confused about it all, so much conflicting information but in the end I decided you can't live in a risk free world!