Pregnancy and Fifths Disease

You do need to call your Dr., but this is not an emergency. First, more than 50% of the population has antibodies to this virus by adulthood. Hopefully, you are one of those who had the disease (even if you never had symptoms) and are immune. If not, although you do need to have a blood test to confirm whether you have antibodies or not, there is nothing your Dr or midwife can do to prevent or treat Fifth Disease. Chances are good that your pregnancy will continue and produce a healthy baby even if you do develop Fifth's disease. Only a small percentage (10% or less, if memory serves me correctly) have complications with Fifth Disease when contracted during pregnancy. Your Dr will likely want to do more ultrasounds during your pregnancy especially if you develop symptoms of the disease or your blood test shows you are not immune. Just make an appt Monday with your OB and discuss it with him/her. Your kids are no longer contagious if they have the rash, so there's nothing you can do at this point to prevent getting it yourself. My kids and I all got Fifth Disease this past Spring. Wasn't fun, but we made it through just fine. I'm so sorry you have to go through this for I know you must be worried. Nurse Midwife mom of 3

Risk it. I'm pretty sure its an emergency. My sister works at an OBGYN and I am 37 weeks. About 3-4 weeks ago she told me to watch out for fifths disease because they had had a few people come in with it and it can be very dangerous for prego woman.

http://www.babycenter.com/0_fifth-disease-parvovirus-b19-...

Call your Dr.

I'd call! $25 is worth your unborn baby's health!

Your doctor is going to do a blood test to see if you have antibodies, which 60% (according to March of Dimes) of the population does, and means you're at no risk. If you're not immune and you contract the virus during pregnancy, your baby will most likely be fine. There's about a 1 in 3 chance that parvovirus will be passed through the placenta to a baby, but even among these babies, the vast majority do well and have no problems or signs of infection.

Your children are no longer contagious, and you can wait until Monday to call. I know you are worried, but seriously, there is nothing that can be done if you do not have antibodies to prevent getting it. Try to calm down and wait until Monday morning and your doctor will advise you at that time.

God bless.

At 13 weeks, it is very important to find out if you are immune. It could cause a miscarriage or complications. I would not wait until Monday.