Does anyone know about slapped cheek syndrome?

[skatty]

My husband is a social worker and has been working with a group of kids with this. He was sent home from work today as there is a risk he could pass it to me and it is dangerous to an unborn baby before 20 weeks. I have been scanning the internet all day but am still so worried. Apparantley you can of had it and not known and then are immune. My husband had a blood test today and gets the results on Wednesday. spoke to my midwife and she told me that its most risky in the first trimester but she obviously can't say that I'll definitely be ok. My doctor was not at work today but I am going for a blood test Monday afternoon. I'm annoyed because my midwife said my docor should have tested for this as routine when he took my blood but the secretary said he hasn't and then started getting grouchy with us because we had to ring her 4 times!

I'm so worried and would appreciate anyone who knows about this letting me know what they know. This weekend is going to be unbearable. I just hope that Martin or I have had it already.

 

[Amanda]

Sorry Skatty, I've never even heard of this.

Have you tried ringing NHS direct if you're getting no joy from the doctors?

 

[skatty]

Thanks for the reply Tankett but I am actually in Denmark. Its funny but I have never really heard of this and nor anyone I've spoken to in England including my Mum. I don't know if its more common here but I am taking comfort in the fact that even if I do get it there is only a 5% chance the baby will get it. (I've been reading about it on the net all day!) I'm going to try not to stress this weekend and see my doc on Monday. Have a good weekend x

 

[Tina & Gabs]

Hey Skatty

I have heard of this. Someone at work's little girl got this a few weeks back and I was the same as you absolutely terrified.

I contacted my Midwife, who had never heard of it before ! Can you believe it!

She looked on NHS Direct website and told me that it is more contagious from kids to kids or kids to adults than adults to adults!
Most people would have had it or be immune!
Try not to worry too much as you have not had the direct contact with the infected chid.
http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/articles/ar ... icleId=424
Look at the above website for more information and just be aware of the symptoms.

I am sure you will be fine honey, I know it's easy to say but try not to worry. It's great that a blood test has been done.

Take care

 

[skatty]

Thanks Tina, I can't help but worry! I am now worried because I had flu before easter but I had a scan last Friday and everything was fine so I am hoping it was another virus! I am really hoping the blood test will reveal I have already had it so my DH can go back to work and I can stop worrying!

What makes me worst is that I haven't really had any pregnancy symptons today (I should be glad of that though after the rough ride I've had so far!)

I work from home so I'm just going to spend the weekend working hard and wait for Monday.

Thanks again and have a good weekend x

 

[Rachael]

Hiya Scatty

I know it's hard not to worry, but even if you have caught the syndrome, there is a very small chance that your baby would be affected.

The Slapped Cheek virus is spread by infected respiratory droplets and the illness usually starts after an incubation period of between four and fourteen days. Patients are usually no longer infectious once the characteristic rash of this disease has appeared.
Approximately 60% of women in the United Kingdom are immune to parvovirus (Slapped Cheek Syndrome) due to having this illness in the past. If a pregnant woman develops a parvovirus infection there is no strong evidence that congenital or developmental abnormalities will occur in the baby. There is no indication for termination of pregnancy in these circumstances. There is minimal risk to the foetus if the infection is caught after the pregnancy has reached 20 weeks. However before 20 weeks there is an extra 9% risk of miscarriage and a 3% risk of a condition called hydrops foetalis. Note that these percentages are very low.

If you have caught the virus you will have constant monitoring which checks for fetal hydropsy and you would be given immunoglobin tranfusions which would limit the amount of parvovirus in your system and therefore limit the exposure that your baby has as well.

Hopefully these has lessened your worry, not made you worry more!

Goodluck with your results - Hope you are infact immune!

 

[*saulino*]

Hi

i hope all goes well good luck
and try not to worry it seems very rare
Katrina

 

[skatty]

Thank you everyone, as you know it's hard not to worry!

Wow Rachael, thanks for that info, that does make me feel loads better! Are you in the medical proffession? I actually feel a lot better about it this morning, I've had a lot of pregnancy sickness but I don't tend to pick up viruses too easily.

Thanks so much to everyne, I don't know what I'd do without this forum as I don't know so many people in Denmark and ringing England all the time costs a fortune!

Katt xx