Slapped Cheeks

[Hmonty]

Does anyone have any information about the effect of slapped cheek disease (fifth disease or erythema infection) on pregnant women. I think my youngest has it (generally under the weather, 'slapped' red cheeks, slight fever) and I've read that it's bad for pregnant women to come into contact. I currently 20 weeks. netdoctor.com says this is due to an increased risk of miscarriage but I can't find anything else out anywhere. The site also says that the infectious period is before the rash appears, so I suppose there's not a lot I can do.....My eldest had this December last year when we were on holiday and I ended up miscarrying in January (who knows if this was related or not) so as you can imagine I'm getting myself in a bit of a state.
Any advice gratefully received.
Thanks

[Angiel]

My dd1 and ds have slapped cheek disease at the moment. I thought that dd2 (22 mths) was going to escape but it looks like she is going down with it as well at the moment.

I'm a bit concerned though as I have read that it can cause problems for children with immune deficiency's and dd2 has an IgA deficiency. Has anyone got any idea how this may affect her and what I should look out for?

[bea]

going off topic a little (glad you're okay marina!)
dd has naturally red rosy cheeks... poeple always think she's teething!... and at the docs the other day... because she was a little under the weather.. doc looked at her and claimed it was slap cheek!... to which i replied... but her cheeks are always that red!!!

[CAM]

What a marvellous fantastic relief Marina, glad you're smiling again!

[jodee]

Fantastic news, Marina! And thank you for your kind words , I must 'dip in' here more often - work is sooo busy lately, though. Not going to see the gorgeous Bruce either, unfortunately; I was going to go for standing, but wimped out also due to lack of funds/saving for holiday!!!

[janh]

phews all round

[Twink]

Fabulous news Marina !

[Tinker]

Hooray Marina

[bundle]

great news, Marina! one of my friends rang me re: her 8 mth old's rash (undiagnosed) even though I'm nearly 9 months pregnant and her GP said there was hardly anything which could cause problems so late on (except chickenpox? not sure..) but she didn't want to not check & feel reckless.

[bossykate]

marvellous news, marina, phew!

[WideWebWitch]

Oh pleased to hear it Marina!

[bells2]

Thank goodness!

[tigermoth]

phew!

[prufrock]

Great news Marina - you must be very relieved.

[Marina]

Phew, just back from the hospital and I'm immune (I was screened as part of the follow-up to Tom, so no need to wait for more blood test results).
I asked my consultant and he said that Slapped Cheek/B19/Human Parvovirus/Fifth Disease is a risk to pregnancy up until 20 weeks. Small risk, but there. It does seem to go on beyond first trimester...
Thanks so much for all your kind and reassuring messages, ladies, especially Jodee, so nice to see you back! How are you doing? Are you going to see Bruce at Crystal Palace? I was, but have wimped out due to lack of SEATS (oh dear).

[jodee]

Marina, good luck with the tests today, I do so hope your mind is put at rest - let us know how it goes.

[Wills]

Marina, My thoughts go with you on this one. Good luck. Let us know about the blood tests, but also can you not get them to clarify the first trimester bit that Jessi mentioned.

[janh]

Marina, I've just spotted this, what awful timing for you - do hope you can get the blood test done quickly and that all is well. (Agree with Jessi - stay away from google for a bit!)

[tigermoth]

wishing you lots of luck with the consultant meeting tomorrow, marina. I can imagine it must be such a worry for you. Really hope that google can come up with some reassuring slapped cheek statistics.

Do tell us how your meeting goes.

[Marina]

Thanks Jessi! It's my job to find stuff out for people or help them find it out for themselves and sometimes I just cannot let it lie!

[jessi]

So sorry to read this Marina. When I was 14 weeks pregnant, there was a chance my ds could get slapped cheek as it was going round his nursery. However, I had a blood test done and I'm sure my GP told me it was only a real worry if I contracted it during the first trimester, as I was 14 weeks I was re-assured hugely. So at 19 weeks hopefully you should be OK. Good luck with the tests and try not to worry. Take care and I would agree that perhaps you should give Google a break for the moment. Jessi

[CAM]

Dear Marina
Wishing you the best of luck with your blood test tomorrow. Lots of love and hugs.

[Marina]

Thanks, B & B. The US information is much more positive about the small risk of Slapped Cheek causing problems, than the British, which hints darkly at a 3% risk of the baby developing anaemia and hydrops fetalis (too much water in its system). Neither of which is definitely fatal but it certainly involves a lot of extra worry and possibility of intrauterine blood transfusions for the baby, etc. I should leave that Google alone...
All depends if I am one of the 50%-60% UK adults already immune. Am hoping I was screened for it when Tom died and that I am already immune. I will find out tomorrow when I have a previously scheduled consultant's appointment. Ds was out of sorts over the weekend and spent a lot of the time cuddled up on the sofa with me, which I think probably means I've been exposed.
Talk about it never rains but it pours.