Slapcheek/parvovirus experiences?

[Louise2013]

....I know slapcheek/parvovirus is pretty concerning if you come into contact with it whilst pregnant, but I'm wondering if anyone has had any experience of what the virus typcally looked like in their child?

We had our first trip to children's A&E last night as LO very suddenly (within a soace of 30minutes) became unwell following his dinner (nothing new was eaten, so I cannot pinpoint an obvious cause);covered in a red sunburn like rash from head to toe, very very distressed and vomiting. We suspected he was having an allergic reaction so took him straight to the hospital as he was coughing and I was anxious about airway swelling.

Anyway, we were seen very swiftly and the care was fantastic, but the consultant seemed to think this was not an allergic reaction, but more typical of a viral infection. Anyway, I am not a virologist, but it does 'feel' more like it was an allergic reaction to me, esoecially with how quickly things escalated and also how quickly he responded to antihistamines, but what do I know; doc said ihow it looked and the reacion he had had was actually NOT typical of an allergic reaction, but more suited the symptoms of a virus, and then rather 'cavalierly' said 'like parvo virus, or slapped cheek' as his face remained quite rosy and red.

I am eleven weeks pregnant, so cue me start to 'calmly cr*p myself'. I sort of blurted that out and he was very much like: 'well, it could or it couldn't be really......I don't know.'

So, now I am all kinds of nervous! My LO seems to have virtually fully recovered now, so again, I do genuinely feel it is more allergy-related, which I think is why I am staying slightly more rational than I might normally, but I have that 'nagging' in my head saying 'okay, but what if it IS parvo/slapped cheek.....?'

Anyway, I don't know anyone that has had it, nor would I want to start asking questions if I did as no one knows we are pg yet, do has anyone here experienced it? Not necessarily i oregnancy, but more about how it presented in your LO? How it looked/how they felt (if old enough to communicate that of course!) I probably shouldn't torture or nuture my anxiety on this, but all I will do else is Google it and practically go beserk at what I read

Any advice very welcomed. Thanks ladies xxxxx

 

[JD.Deedee]

Why if that was suspected didn't the doctor do any checks to see whether that virus or any other for that matter was present or not that he suspected?? Can you get a second opinion from a different doctor? I'd be pretty annoyed with him making such allegations of his suspicions but then not act upon it. Sounds a bit neglectful to me.

 

[Louise2013]

Why if that was suspected didn't the doctor do any checks to see whether that virus or any other for that matter was present or not that he suspected?? Can you get a second opinion from a different doctor? I'd be pretty annoyed with him making such allegations of his suspicions but then not act upon it. Sounds a bit neglectful to me.

He took bloods, but to test for allergens only (he was an allergist consultant, not a virlologist); he was not concerned about the possibility of it being parvo; I suspect because it is rarely harmful to little ones. However, he was just non-commital when I mentioned pregnancy. He seemed in no way concerned so I couldn't tell if that was because he wasn't really thinking it was that; he was more concerned with my son (naturally) and telling us he didn't think this was an allergic reaction and this was more a 'generalised viral infection'. Parvo was one he listed as a possibility, but of course, it caught my ear.

Anyway, I rang the mw today and will be tested myself on Monday so we will wait and see. She wasn't exactly reassuring though; felt much more worried coming off the phone than I was when I rang. Anyway, nothing I can do if it is that right now; I'll just have to wait it out xxxx

 

[JD.Deedee]

It's good they want to run your bloods, it's always best to check and rule it out for sure. All you can do is wait but it's nice to not having to worry if it all comes back clear and you can be sure it was likely to be an allergic reaction or something mild.

 

[Louise2013]

It's good they want to run your bloods, it's always best to check and rule it out for sure. All you can do is wait but it's nice to not having to worry if it all comes back clear and you can be sure it was likely to be an allergic reaction or something mild.

Absolutely. I'll know one way or the other; I know the chances are slim but I am just a boring old worry wart. Equally, I'm hoping my LO doesn't have allergies of course so I'm just hoping it is a harmless virus he has shaken off as he is fine now, albeit exhausted from a night of no sleep

Thanks for your kind words xxxxxxx

 

[JD.Deedee]

They should just do it precautionary in my opinion, there shouldn't be worry it's better safe to know than not they check everything else.

Don't you have your first scan not coming soon either? I'm sure that will give extra reassurance. x

 

[laurat]

Hey hon, I was exposed to a slap cheek epodemic in my school when I was pregnant. Two children in my class sent home with it. The symptoms in children and adults can be very mild, sore throat, generally lethargic. Then the rash happens. Usually firstly on the cheeks and it spreads to the body. At this point the contagious stage is passsed so unavoidable you have been exposed already. My experience over the years is that dr are very unwilling at actually diagnosine parvo as its relatively unharmful to kids. Most adults are immune to it as they have been exposed to it previously and built an immunity. Drs just say its a viral infection. I contacted my midwife and she was very good. She quickly arranged a nurse to come to my house (was no longer allowed in the department due to exposure). Got a blood sample take for immunity and actually tested for it. I didnt have it but also had no immunity. I went into meltdown and worry.


I did a lot of research on it. Best and only real website worth reading is the NHS website. Stay away from google its the devil!! It explains that it is very rare for firstly an adult to catch it then even more rare for a mum to pass it on to her unborn baby. So easier said but try to stay calm. My advice is get the immunity test, then take each step at a time. I got a couple of extra scans for re-assurance as they can check for extra fluid etc. You will be fine. However I have a real bee in my bonnet about this disease as it is dangerous to pregnant ladies but is not treated seriously by dr and in fact my school. Children allowed to be brought in and expose people to it.

 

[Louise2013]

Hey hon, I was exposed to a slap cheek epodemic in my school when I was pregnant. Two children in my class sent home with it. The symptoms in children and adults can be very mild, sore throat, generally lethargic. Then the rash happens. Usually firstly on the cheeks and it spreads to the body. At this point the contagious stage is passsed so unavoidable you have been exposed already. My experience over the years is that dr are very unwilling at actually diagnosine parvo as its relatively unharmful to kids. Most adults are immune to it as they have been exposed to it previously and built an immunity. Drs just say its a viral infection. I contacted my midwife and she was very good. She quickly arranged a nurse to come to my house (was no longer allowed in the department due to exposure). Got a blood sample take for immunity and actually tested for it. I didnt have it but also had no immunity. I went into meltdown and worry.


I did a lot of research on it. Best and only real website worth reading is the NHS website. Stay away from google its the devil!! It explains that it is very rare for firstly an adult to catch it then even more rare for a mum to pass it on to her unborn baby. So easier said but try to stay calm. My advice is get the immunity test, then take each step at a time. I got a couple of extra scans for re-assurance as they can check for extra fluid etc. You will be fine. However I have a real bee in my bonnet about this disease as it is dangerous to pregnant ladies but is not treated seriously by dr and in fact my school. Children allowed to be brought in and expose people to it.

Thanks lovey, ths is very helpful so thanks for taking the time to write it. I can't tell you how much this has helped ease my mind, so thank you You are so right about Google; I don't know why We do it to ourselves! xxxxx