Fifth's Disease

[Love4you]

I'm totally stressed at the moment. My 2 year old was just diagnosed with 5th's Disease.
https://www.cdc.gov/parvovirusB19/pregnancy.html
I have no idea if I've had it or not as the symptoms in adults are so vague. I'm freaking out because she and I were both sick at the same time. I just assumed it was a summer virus. Now I don't know.
I'm going to get the blood work done tomorrow to find out for sure. But even if it's positive there's not much they can do except monitor the baby.
Why of all times does she have to get this NOW?

Anybody have experience with this?

 

[TTC 84]

Hi I have no experience with this but from what I read chances are baby is just fine . Good luck xx

 

[bets83]

My daughter came home from school with fifth's disease when I was in the middle of my second trimester...they drew some blood and determined that I had already been exposed, so was immune...most people are exposed to the virus in their youth, but don't remember because the symptoms are not very severe...I hope this is the case for you as well!!

 

[mummy2o]

I honestly don't think you have much to worry about. Fifth's disease is only serious in pregnant women, if they catch it in the first trimester. Your in your 2nd, so should be fine and as PP said the majority of adults are immune due to previously having it at some point in childhood. Just get checked up with the midwife/doctor and see if they want to do any testing.

 

[Willow01]

I had it when I was 24 weeks pregnant with my last pregnancy. I knew I had no immunity to it though (I'm a teacher and there was an outbreak in school so had to get tested, with no immunity at 14 weeks I was signed off work until 20 weeks) returned to work and caught it! I had no symptoms only knew about it because the midwife was regularly testing my blood (at my request!!). After 20 weeks it is not such a problem, it can cause heart defects and other abnormalities in growth in the first trimester. I was sent for a scan at 30 weeks with a consultant at the hospital and she checked my baby's heart and all was fine. It was very stressful though but they say the majority of adults do have immunity to it (I was unlucky!). Unfortunately it is an airborne disease and flares up April/May/June. Luckily you are in the second trimester so even if you did get it the risks are minimal. I know this is easier said than done but try not to worry about it too much, just make sure that you get the additional scans to check growth if you find you do have it. My only other piece of advice is look after your health, a few weeks after I got shingles which doctors believe was due to parvovirus making my immune system low. There was a thread in the gestational complications section that I found comfort in when going through this, it's a few years old now but all of us involved were all going through the same thing so was nice to read. Good luck, let us know what the results of the blood work arex

 

[icegurl470]

I work with a woman who had this while pregnant. She came in and her arms were red in like a marbling pattern. She said she noticed it on her legs while she was showering but figured it was just from the hot water. Turned out to be fifths. She didn't have any other symptoms. Baby turned out fine. She also had shingles during the same pregnancy, cant remember if it was before or after that. Being pregnant opens you up for all types of strange things wouldn't normally get. From what I read though its actually good to get stuff like that while pregnant, because the baby gets some of the antibodies from you without actually having to suffer the side effects. Same reason they recommend getting the flu shot while pregnant. There are some things that can be dangerous if caught while pregnant but I don't think Fifths is one of them. Good luck

 

[Love4you]

I had thought I was immune since I have 4 other kids.
The only reason I'm worried is that she and I were sick at the same time. I just don't have the rash.
Nothing to do now but wait and hope for the best.
Thanks for all your help ladies!

 

[Keebs]

Hey Love4you, have you had your results back yet? Fingers crossed for you.

My dd has come down with this, she's never ill and I cannot believe she gets this now.... aaargh. I'm getting my bloods drawn tomorrow as I have no idea if I've had it or not. Trying to put the worry to the back of my mind for now until I have a definitive answer. Fingers crossed we're both immune

 

[Love4you]

Just wanted to update.

So I tested positive for Fifths Disease (parvovirus)
Since this virus can attack the baby's red blood cells my OB is referring me to a Maternal Fetal Specialist.
I'll have to have frequent ultrasound to check on the baby.
Of course now I'm really nervous.
I just want November to be here now.

I hope you're luckier than me Keebs.

 

[Willow01]

Love4you I know exactly the stress you are feeling just now, it is such a horrible thing. Things turned out well for me and it will hopefully do the same for you too. You are being watched not by the specialists and they will take good care of both of you. Good luck hunxx

 

[Love4you]

Thanks Willow. I'm hoping for the best and keeping everything crossed til my next ultrasound.

 

[Keebs]

Oh no Love4you I am so sorry

Everything crossed it never crossed the placenta hun and baby is safe and well. Glad you are getting the extra monitoring but really wish you didn't have to go through this worry Please keep us updated