Slapped cheek

[Barmymummy]

Think my 4yr old DS has got slapped cheek. Has woken up today with lovely bright red cheeks having had a cold for a few days. Fits all the symptoms and description to a tee .

Anyway, he is fine in himself and obviously I am now worried about school. According to NHS info he was at his most contagious before the rash came out so needless to say damage has probably already been done. Says once rash is out that they are usually non-contagious.

Am concerned that teachers/parents will be cross or unduly concerned that he is at school! What do I do?!

It's really hard to know if they have slapped cheek (fifth disease) before the redness comes out so how could you know and nobody will mind. My son (almost 5) had it last year and he was a bit mooky with it. He had it for about 3 weeks in total (the redness) but it did fade with time and got worse if he cried or ran around etc. Think it can represent itself too so don't worry if, when you think it's gone, it comes back for a while.
The only problems it can cause are in pregnant mothers (can cause MC due to chronic anaemia)and immunosuppressed patients or those with blood disorders, such as sickle cell anaemia.