Slapped Cheek Syndrome in Pregnancy

[Concertinafan]

I'm still very early on in pregnancy, 10 weeks, and my work have emailed the office (open plan 150+ desks) to advise that a member of staff have been diagnosed with Slapped Cheek.

I had no idea what this was, and had never heard of it before. It is according to the NHS website, extremely dangerous for pregnant women, particularly those between 8-20 weeks.

It has been an up hill battle to try to get my GP to listen to me and to have blood tests done this week. Luckily, they were sent urgently and when they came back, I'm clear of the virus for now. Unfortunately I'm not immune though. I will have to go back every 4 weeks for the same blood tests to make sure I still don't have the virus.

I'm now panicking at every cough and sneeze by anyone near me! Work have been good and assigned me my own desk for now, but I still share facilities with nearly 200 people who don't have the best hygiene.

Has anyone else had this scare before? I feel that I'm very unlucky to be in an office environment with this virus, when I don't work with children, and that I'm one of the unfortunate that aren't immune!

Any tips on how to stay clear of germs and bacteria ridden surfaces at work, apart from carrying anti bac wipes and hand gel everywhere? Or am I just being very overcautious?

I would stay away from the office for now. slapped cheek complications are rare but do happen.

Is there any chance you can work from home for a week?

Hi

No chance of me working from home I'm afraid. It couldn't work with what I do.

Paranoid every minute I'm at work sounds like the new norm for me....

can you get signed off until the 'outbreak' is over?

My friend (teacher) was signed off for s couple of weeks in s similar situation.

a good friend of mine lost s baby at 17 weeks due to it so I am probably more aware of the complications that can come with it but knowing what I know now, I would not be happy to work there given that you don't have immunity.

My GP has not mentioned me not going into work, even though they are aware that it has started there. They seem to doubt the legitimacy of the person who has been 'diagnosed' with it.

Work will obviously not give out any details on who the person was, apart from that they were relatively new to the business.

Its such a confusing situation. I may ask if anyone else does not come into work because they have it. At least work have a duty of care and would be able to tell me that much? Purely to see if there is an outbreak as such.