https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 21 May 2026 17:25:32 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fifths-disease#post-2153717 Thu, 23 Apr 2015 08:48:17 +0000 LindsayInNY 2153717@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MsHangry: I asked my mom - turns out I had it as a kid so no worries now! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fifths-disease#post-2152830 Wed, 22 Apr 2015 13:40:34 +0000 MsHangry 2152830@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LindsayInNY: I don't think it is on a standard panel that your OB tested. Your mom might remember?<br /> I think the indirect exposure should be fine...but everyone has different comfort levels. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fifths-disease#post-2152799 Wed, 22 Apr 2015 13:24:13 +0000 LindsayInNY 2152799@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MsHangry: That helps... A friend's two boys have it and she's suppose to come to my shower this weekend. So it would be indirect exposure and it sounds like it's in the rash stage and post-contagious period too. I was going to call my OB's office to ask? Maybe they know if I had it before and am immune? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fifths-disease#post-2152789 Wed, 22 Apr 2015 13:17:06 +0000 MsHangry 2152789@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>To summarize from previous posters:<br /> Fifths disease is a common illness of childhood caused by parvovirus B19. It is spread through respiratory secretions (and blood transfusions).<br /> By the time you see the "characteristic" rash (slapped cheek and/or lacy body rash) it is in a less contagious state.<br /> Most concerning for women in the first half of pregnancy. </p> <p>Honestly, if you think you have been exposed, let your OB/midwife know. It is very common, which means most of us had it as children. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fifths-disease#post-2152562 Wed, 22 Apr 2015 11:31:14 +0000 LindsayInNY 2152562@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Bumping for more input! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fifths-disease#post-2100324 Mon, 09 Mar 2015 09:05:50 +0000 erwoo 2100324@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sounds extreme in the U.S. but not in Asia... but I would go buy an N95 mask and wear it until break. Maybe decorate the outside with natural markers or something so it doesn't scare the kids. Hopefully no one caught it and it's all good by the time you get back from break. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fifths-disease#post-2100318 Mon, 09 Mar 2015 09:02:53 +0000 Anagram 2100318@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrsk: I found this info online.</p> <p>"Kids with fifth disease may attend childcare or school, as they are no longer contagious. Once infected with parvovirus B19, a person develops immunity to it and is unlikely to become infected again.</p> <p>Parvovirus B19 infection during pregnancy may cause problems for the fetus. Some fetuses may develop severe anemia if the mother is infected while pregnant — especially if the infection occurs during the first half of the pregnancy. In some cases, this anemia is so severe that the fetus doesn't survive. Fortunately, about half of all pregnant women are immune due to a previous infection with parvovirus. Serious problems occur in less than 5% of women who become infected during pregnancy. " </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fifths-disease#post-2100317 Mon, 09 Mar 2015 09:02:48 +0000 LBee 2100317@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrsk: I think your doctor can run a blood test and see if you are immune? That might be a good place to start. I would call my doctor and not consult Dr. Google. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fifths-disease#post-2100315 Mon, 09 Mar 2015 09:02:25 +0000 Boopers 2100315@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am a teacher too and in January a student in the class next door to mine had Fifth's Disease. How far along are you? My doctor said it's more concerning while in your first trimester. I was already in my 3rd at the point that the student had it. </p> <p>It's spread through bodily fluids. I washed my hands religiously, lysoled all surfaces, and just tried to stay away from the student until it cleared. I would keep an eye on all the students in your room and don't be afraid to send any students that you think may have the cheek rash to the nurse.</p> <p>ETA: If I recall, once the student shows the rash they are already past the noncontagious stage. Do you know if the family has had the other kids in the family tested or checked out? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fifths-disease#post-2100311 Mon, 09 Mar 2015 09:00:43 +0000 Anagram 2100311@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I recently had a student at my school with Fifth's disease, but no one notified me because I hadn't told the administration that I was pregnant yet. By the time I told them, the child was in the noncontagious stage.</p> <p>Things have been fine! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fifths-disease#post-2100306 Mon, 09 Mar 2015 08:59:41 +0000 Mrsk 2100306@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hi All,</p> <p>I'm an elementary teacher and my principal just came to tell me that a student in the class next door to mine has had fifth's disease. I guess the student is no longer in the contagious stage, but he wanted to let me know as we didn't know up until now. Who knows if there are other students in the class infected and there are siblings in that room with my students. I called my midwife but haven't heard back yet.</p> <p>What would you do? March break is next week. Would you take the next 4 days off work and stay home and hope things are cleared out after march break? or keep working? we have no indication that there is anyone else infected in the class.</p> <p>ETA I'm 22 weeks pregnant and have had 2 previous miscarriages, to say i'm nervous is an understatement! </p>