Fifth disease @ my school - advice

katiebug58 · January 2012

I heard my principal tell another pregnant teacher this afternoon that a child in the school has fifth disease (https://www.fifthdisease.org/pregnancy.html). I am not ready to announce to my principal yet and thought that since I teach the whole school it doesn't matter which child it is anyways - they have been in my classroom.

I know that there is a risk for miscarriage with exposure to fifth disease and that the child was contagious before they had a visible rash. I called my doctor but she had left for the day and will call me tomorrow. I also have an appointment tomorrow afternoon with the new doctor I am looking to switch to for the rest of my pregnancy.

I am feeling a little weary of going to work tomorrow and being around more kids that could have been exposed. Also, if my doctor wanted me to come for bloodwork to see if I was immune or had been exposed recently it would not be easy to do if I was at work.

Do you ladies think I am overreacting if I stay home tomorrow?

mtaylor2007 · January 2012

Nope.

BakerMommy · January 2012

The same thing happened to me when I was pregnant with DD, but I already had been tested and knew I was immune (though my dr. or the principal called it by its other name, so for an hour or two I was terrified until I figured out they were the same thing). Anyway, I think it's reasonable to get a sub so you can get tested. From what I understand, it's super common for people to get it as kids, so you're probably immune, but it is a risk. Just call it a mental health day. Wink

katiebug58 · January 2012

intheflowers:

Do you not remember ever having it? I remember getting it when I was in 3rd grade. Would your mom remember if you had it?

I personally would not stay home for that reason but it's whatever you're comfortable with. If you've got the time off to spare, it wouldn't hurt.

My mom does not remember me having it and I don't either. I have more than twice as many days saved as they will actually pay me for when I have the baby so time off is not an issue.

bonjourbelle05 · January 2012

My doctor tested me for immunity for it and I never had it. She said most people have had it, but it turns out I didn't, so she told me to call her immediately if there is an outbreak at my school (I teach hs so not as big of a deal) because it is life threatening to my unborn baby.....I would totally stay home tomorrow...that way you can get into the office to do bloodwork, have a check-up, whatever they may want to do.

FreyaWin2382 · January 2012

I am actually going through this right now; a patient I took care of over the weekend was diagnosed a day after I took care of her.

Chances are, you probably have immunity to it (it is very common in childhood, and so the CDC estimates that up to 50% of adults have immunity), however, the only way to tell is to have blood work done. Mine was drawn yesterday. Basically, they draw two levels (an IgG and an IgM) that tell your immune response. If the IgG is positive then this means that you have had exposure to the disease. If the IgM is negative, it means that you do not actively have the disease. If you have immunity to it then you will always have immunity and won't have to worry about it. If the IgM comes back positive, then your doctor will follow you with frequent ultrasounds to monitor your LO.

FWIW, the CDC also states that keeping pregnant women off work during an exposure does NOT decrease your risk of getting the disease because people are the most contagious before symptoms arise. That being said, I would go with your gut, follow up with your doctor and go from there.

purpleljj · January 2012

I am currently dealing with the same thing at my school. I am a speech therapist and one of my students was recently diagnosed. I immediately called my doc and did the blood work. I have never been exposed and thus do not have immunity, but did not contract the virus (he is no longer contageous as he has the rash). I asked my doc if I needed to stop working with him or other students in his classroom for awhile and she did not think that was necessary. If it makes you feel comfortable I would stay home tomorrow!

SMann814 · January 2012

I don't think you would be overreacting. I would take tomorrow off and talk it over with your doctor first. Better safe than sorry not to mention if it will make you feel more comfortable and less stressed about it.

fallplanner · January 2012

I am a teacher and our principal will not allow staff or any other adult in the building when there is a case of fifth's disease. It is our boards policy to post signs on all the doors too, stating that there is a confirmed case. You are best to stay off work until you get the results back from your bloodwork. FWIW, I knew another teacher who was 5 months pregnant and caught the virus from her school...sadly the baby did not make it. You should definitely take the test to find out if you are immune.

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