Has anyone had slapped cheek virus while pregnant?

Question

And what was the outcome? I have been in contact with someone with it and have to have blood tests, it says there is a small chance that it can affect the baby if i have it but doesnt actually say how small that chance is.

Answer 1

Yes,one of my younger kids had this virus while I was pregnant.I was warned that there was a small risk but nothing ever came of it,my baby was fine.Good luck.

Answer 2

2

Answer 3

What is slapped cheek disease?

Slapped cheek disease is sometimes called Fifth Disease or Erythema Infectiosum. It is an infection caused by the Parvovirus B19 virus. It most commonly occurs in children aged 4-12 years, but anyone can be affected. It is infectious (can be passed on). The infectious period is for 4-20 days before the rash appears. By the time the rash develops, it is usually no longer infectious.

You normally have slapped cheek disease only once in a lifetime. This is because you make antibodies during the infection which protect you from future infections with this same virus.

What are the symptoms of slapped cheek disease?
Rash
Typically, the rash looks like a bright red scald on one or both cheeks. It looks as if the cheek(s) have been slapped. Sometimes there is just a blotchy redness on the face. The rash is painless. Sometimes a more widespread faint rash appears on the body, arms, and legs. Occasionally, the rash on the face and body keeps fading and returning several times for up to four weeks. However, it is more common for the rash to come and go completely within a few days.

Other symptoms
Although the rash can look quite dramatic, the illness itself is usually mild. You will usually not feel too ill. You may have a headache or mild temperature (fever) for a few days before the rash appears. Occasionally, mild pain and stiffness develops in one or more joints for a few days.

You may have no symptoms
Many people become infected with this virus without developing any symptoms at all.
What is the treatment?

You do not usually need any treatment. If you have a headache, temperature, or aches and pains then paracetamol or ibuprofen will help.

Are there any complications from slapped cheek disease?

Usually not. Rarely, the aching joint symptoms last for some time after the other symptoms have gone. The only times the illness may become more serious are:

In children with some types of hereditary anaemia such as sickle cell disease, beta-thalassaemia and hereditary spherocytosis. This virus can cause these types of anaemia to become suddenly much worse.
In pregnant women. Most pregnant women are immune to this virus, or will not be seriously affected if they become infected by it. However, like some other viruses, the virus that causes slapped cheek disease can sometimes harm an unborn child. Miscarriage is more common in women who are infected with this virus before 20 weeks of pregnancy. Therefore, if you are pregnant, keep away from people who have slapped cheek disease.

Answer 4

During the first 20 weeks of pregnancy the virus can cause miscarriage if a pregnant woman is a) exposed to the virus and b) contracts the virus. Also during this time, the virus can also cause a rare condition known as foetal hydrops, which can cause congestive heart failure, a severe form of oedema (swelling of body tissues due to excessive fluid) due to severe anaemia.

Slapped cheek is actually the Parvovirus B19 that only affects humans (although there is a similar animal version but they can not be passed between animals and humans and vice versa) . But like all viruses can pass from one human to another through the air, in saliva or through close contact and can not be treated with antibiotics. The best treatment is to rest.

Answer 5

I was exposed to it during pregnancy. 5ths Disease is also known as Slapped Cheek Syndrome. It starts with flu-like symptoms and then you get a rash which starts on the face and then travels round your body (adults don't always get the rash). They used to think it was harmless but they now know it can cause anemia in unborn children. I was exposed to it recently but luckily I was past 20 weeks, so my doctor said I was ok. Lots of women are immune to it already, having contracted the disease without even knowing. I also read that even if you do get it whilst pregnant, that there's only a 2% chance of the baby being affected. So it must be pretty rare.

Your doctor can always test you if you are concerned and give you the steps to take if you have it.

Answer 6

hi their dont want to worry you but last june i was 19 weeks pregnant with my third child their was an outbreak of parvavirus at my daughters school i did not think anything of it at the time as i was unaware it could affect me sadly i miscarried and the results showed it was parva virus i would talk to your midwife if you are over 20 weeks their is a procedure they can do to help the baby if you know you have it.dont leave it to chance and keep getting checked out if i had been checked out when the virus broke out they probably could of helped me i wish you all the best anyway take care

Answer 7

I was exposed too, and Googled quite a bit at the time and did find the actual risk stated somewhere. It was _minute_. Your risk of getting it is quite low, your risk of passing it on to the baby is quite low, the risk of the baby actually having a problem from it is quite low, etc.

(blood tests came back clear for me anyway)

Google "fifth disease +pregnancy" for better results than "slapped cheek." Good luck, and try to relax.

Answer 8

Huh, never heard of that before. I'd look it up online. Maybe WebMD or a pregnancy website.

Answer 9

yes also known as parvo virus.you are only infectious BEFORE the red cheeks.if you are quite far along in your pregnancy you will be ok,if you are in early pregnancy it can cause miscarriage..i hope you are ok xx

Answer 10

very informative twinkie 2006, i had never heard of it before