AIBU to think that it'll be okay (slapped cheek)

[SweetPeaSoup]

I'm 23 weeks pregnant and just inadvertently spent 45 mins around a child with slapped cheek.

If I've ever had it, then it's been symptomless (so I've no idea whether I've got immunity), and I wasn't coughed / sneezed on / hugged - just been in my living room together for a short while.

It'll be fine, right?

If you're past 23 weeks sounds like you should be fine, but you may want to chat to your MW. Did the child have the rash? If so they're no longer infectious.

www.nhs.uk/chq/pages/1112.aspx?categoryid=54

Hi, my ds had it when I was pregnant with ds2, midwife checked my immunity and I had antibodies despite not being aware of having it.
You're probably immune, if not then I guess there's only a small chance you'd get it. I'm no doctor though, just from own experience.
Have you checked NHS website for information on it? Maybe put your mind at rest.

Just rereading that page it recommends getting in touch with your GP or MW (sounds like it's only a precaution but would probably be sensible and may help put your mind at rest).

Did the child's parent not know you are pregnant and warn you?

Ring your GP. Your bloods from your booking-in appointment will be held on ice and they can ask for a quick test to be run to see if you are already immune (most people are). If you are not, they will re-test you to see if you are now showing antibodies - then if so willgive you extra monitoring. This happened to me and luckily the test showed I was already immune at the start of the pregnancy -- but though there is a very small but significant risk associated with catching it during pregnancy they can do something about it if they know. Good luck OP: I hope you are already immune (v v likely :))

Don't panic.

When I was expecting ds3 16 years ago Slapped Cheek was doing the rounds at ds2's nursery and I was advised to speak to my GP, I was around 12 weeks or so iirc. I phoned up and was told to make an appointment immediately and was then referred for a scan to check on the baby, it was taken very seriously, I was taken aback to be honest.

Anyway, all was well, as you and your baby will be.

Should also say - my GP took this very seriously and when I explained on the phone why I was ringing them, they saw me the same day and had the booking-in bloods retested within 24 hours. So they should treat it seriously. I wouldn't bother waiting to speak to midwife; go direct to your doctor.

Oh and when you speak to your GP say you have been exposed to Parvovirus B19 (which is the virus's correct name).

I wasn't ill either.

Thanks everyone - I am trying very hard not to panic as I think that the main danger is to women

It went round school when I was pregnant. I was sent home until 20 weeks or having blood test results to say I was immune which I was. I have no memory of ever having slap cheek. At the time I as told the greatest risk was before 20 weeks....

No don't panic :) chances are that you are already immune and it is not a high risk after c. 20 weeks anyway. But a GP should be able to order a test to be run on your existing bloods (and there are things they can do if necessary, including extra scans), so it is really just a precaution but the GP is the one to see.

Don't worry :) :)

I spent time with children with slapped cheek one Christmas when I was 7 months pg. On call OoO dr wasn't in the slightest bit worried then she spoke to the midwife and called back telling me I needed to get urgent bloods but as it was over Christmas no where was open to take them When they were eventually taken it was all fine, especially as you say the danger is in the early months but I did panic. I think the parents should have been more upfront and let you make the choice to be around the child or not.

Understand your panic totally OP, but as others have said even the worst case scenario (catching it) is both unlikely and low risk. Fingers crossed you're already immune.

I won't comment on the parents not telling you - I always warn pg people if my DC have so much as a sniffle and while I appreciate that's naybe excessive I don't know the effect of every single virus nor their attitude to being unknowingly exposed to stuff while their immune system isn't 100%. draws breath after rant and stops derailing thread

I had the same. I'm a teacher and it did the rounds in my classroom. I wasn't immune after blood tests were done (I was 18 weeks) so Head sent me home for three weeks! Once the rash appears the child is no longer contagious, but just get hold of your GP on Monday for peace of mind. Sure you'll be fine, greater risk is to woman less than 20 weeks.

Child I nannied had it badly (ended up hospitalised as her temperature wouldn't come down) when I was pregnant with dd1. I didn't catch it, although her mum did. But you do need to tell your MW.

I had slapped cheek at 18weeks with ds2. Ds1's childminders do had it, gave it to him (sub clinical) and we think I got it from him. I wasn't immune and had an active attack. It was worrying but the system worked really well for me , as a pp said, urgent blogs are taken, back within 48hrs, referred to specialist consultant, fortnightly scans for eight weeks, eventually signed back of to midwifery care. There is a slight risk even at 23 weeks and I would urge you to contact your midwife and GP cosy thing Monday

First thing Monday to see what you may need to do. Happy to chat further if needs be.

You're all lovely - thank you for the reassurance and advice!

I called the GP this morning and had a call-back within a few hours to say that they're writing up a form for blood tests for me, and I'm to go in to get it done this afternoon. I'm probably immune (going on the balance of probabilities), but once I know for sure, I'll be able to stop worrying.

So pleased to see this, glad they're taking it seriously. You're absolutely right, the odds on there being a problem are very very slim indeed, I was just very unlucky!