Fifths disease exposure

stephaniemsander · April 2015

I work at a daycare and have been exposed to fifths disease. I find out at work and I started crying and asked to leave. The kid is not in my room, but the room next door. I spend a few hours a week in that room as well. He got the rash yesterday and was diagnosed then. I read they can still pass it on two days after rash.

I have called my doctor and am waiting on a call back. I am feeling like I should stay home tomorrow too. If the kid can still pass it too me then, and then what if other kids get it too?

Advice?

allyx1029 · April 2015

Does it affect the baby?

stephaniemsander · April 2015

My mom said I never had it

JennKempen · April 2015

The number of times the word 'usually' is used in that description makes me want to scream lol I feel that word does nothing when explaining something or trying to ease your mind about baby talk. It is just like when people kept telling me, "stop worrying about miscarrying, usually pregnancies go on to be healthy babies."

Also, the 5% chance of miscarrying would do it for me. If there was a .25% chance in miscarrying with catching that disease or being around kids who have it, I wouldn't be willing to take the risk. Just my opinion though, obviously if you cannot avoid it and need to be there then that's what you need to do!

Good luck!

satori15 · April 2015

Your doctor should be able to test and see if you are immune. Whether you or your mother remember you having it you may still be immune. Especially since you work in a daycare. Will be thinking of you!

Jayzcee · April 2015

I was exposed at week 9/10- as far as I was aware I never had it as a child but when I had the blood test, it proved I had the antibodies so think I probably had it as an adult- they're just flu like symptoms then. If you work in daycare, it's highly likely you'll have had exposure already and therefore be immune- get the blood test done, and stay away whilst you wait for the results in case his case causes an outbreak. Hopefully you'll be just fine

Katarzyn · April 2015

Did your doctor order a prenatal blood panel? The prenatal blood test that my doc ordered included the blood tests paravirus b19 igm and igg. I just received my results via lapcorp beacon online access and research each and every value on there! If you have an elevated igg but a normal igm it means your immune to it. If you have an elevated igm means you were recently exposed. I never knew I was exposed, but it turned out I now have immunity to it. As Jayzcee noted you may have been priorly exposed and unaware of it just like I was. Just speak to your doctor. Best of luck.

tpete12 · April 2015

Fifth Disease is actually going around the school I work in right now. Most people have had the rash as children, but don't even realize it because it can be such a mild rash. My doctor ran 2 sets of blood work on me. She told me that once the rash appears, it is not contagious anymore. It is the 2 weeks leading up to the rash that is contagious. If your blood work says that you are not immune to it, then I would stay home until it cycles through your centre, or make sure you wash regularily. Good luck!

LiveNLove44 · April 2015

I was exposed to it with DD and found out about a week after when my student returned to school. Talking with your OB will give you the best peace of mind, but just know that it will all work out. Your OB has probably experienced this same situation before, and he/she will be able to support you! My DD is 20 months and quite healthy, so I know the exposure didn't impact her, but I know that's only one story. Rest well and try to ease your mind.