Question about Fifths Disease

I will preface that I have no idea what it is-- and have only heard about it when people post on here, so forgive any ignorance.

So, I hung out with my friend today-- the same one actually who I had spent time with a month ago, when she found out her daughter had coxsackie. I think I need to stop hanging out with her!!

ANYWAY-- her daughter came home from school today, and started developing a rash-- and based on what her babysitter told her (we were out all day and I was not at her apt), she thought that maybe her DD was coming down with fifths disease. Of course, she hasn't seen her kid yet and this is just her opinion based on what the rash looks like, according to the sitter.

So, my question is... if her daughter has it.. and I spent the day with her mom, am I in any jeopardy here?

Re: Question about Fifths Disease

i doubt it but my ob told me whenever a situation arises with kids such as this to call him and he will tell me if i need to worry or not.

Re: Question about Fifths Disease

I am not sure but you may be? I don't know what point a person is contagious, but it may be before the rash shows up. So if the DD has it, the mom could be infected too, not to scare you.

Do you know if you were tested for immunity? I was and found out I am very very immune to it.

I would call your dr to be safe.

Re: Question about Fifths Disease

actually yes
your friend may be immune but could still be a carrier

you must contact your dr. and get bloodwork done

i had this too and was negative

Re: Question about Fifths Disease

ok-- well, I have a doc appt tomorrow morning, so I will just talk to him about it then. I am not going to call now-- it would be pointless.

I hope it's no big deal-- the coxsackie wasn't, but now I am nervous.

Honestly, I see NO ONE ever-- I basically spend most of my time alone, yet every time I see someone there is a f*cking scare...

Re: Question about Fifths Disease

Personally, I have been limiting my time with family with school age children. Since I have none of my own, I figured why increase my risk of contracting something through their children? But I am a little nuts when it comes to germs.

I already told family I will not go to thanksgiving dinner if any of them or their children appear to be getting sick. I am too close to delivery to chance it.

Re: Question about Fifths Disease

I just looked on the CDC's web site and it said that the risk is very low, and even then it is in the first half of pregnancy. I am almost 30 weeks.. So, I am not going to worry too much and I will just talk to my doc.

It just seems like every time I see this one person, her kid comes down with like one of the 2 or 3 things that can be harmful to a pregnant woman. So typical.

Re: Question about Fifths Disease

I would call you OB. As I understand it your friend could be a carrier or not sure if adults get this - but with many of these viruses you are contagious for 24-48 hours before you show any symptoms - so you could have been exposed without knowing it.

Re: Question about Fifths Disease

i just spoke to the nurse at my doc's appt..

She said most people are immune to it-- so, if both me AND my friend were not immune, it could be an issue since if she was immune, I couldn't get it from her in the first place if I wasn't. That is, if her DD even has it. Then again, it's not really an issue this late in pregnancy.

I will have my blood checked tomorrow anyway to be sure.

Re: Question about Fifths Disease

Frome what I understand, it's pretty difficult to get it if you haven't had any contact with the child. At the same time, it's better to be safe than sorry. A co-worker's child came down with Fifth's Disease a little while ago. I got tested for it when I had my glucose test. I forgot to follow up as to whether I was immune, but I never had any of the symptoms.

Re: Question about Fifths Disease

Re: Question about Fifths Disease

I was actively exposed through my neice who I kissed and hugged repeatedly while she was contagious and I still didn't get it.

I had the blood test and I am not immune. Try not to worry!

Re: Question about Fifths Disease

Only in the begining of the pregnancy and most people are immune. Don't worry. You will be fine.

Re: Question about Fifths Disease

Re: Question about Fifths Disease

I wouldnt worry with my first pg, I had a patient who was sent home from school with fifths disease but mom still brought her to get her teeth cleaned smart- but anyway I called my dr. and he said I would be ok.

Re: Question about Fifths Disease

I was exposed to and caught Fifth's Disease at about 30 weeks.

I was not immune to it, and caught if from my Mom who is an Elem School Librarian. After I caught it, I passed it on to my 4 year old.

The first blood test that my OB ordered came back negative, the second (a few weeks later) came back positive.

I had to go to Madonna weekly for NST, Biosphysical Profile and a Doppler.

Brody is 8 weeks and perfectly fine.

Message edited 11/17/2008 7:57:52 PM.

Re: Question about Fifths Disease

Are you immune to Fifth's Disease?