I'm in a major panic right now, and it could very well be over nothing, but I'm so far from coping at the moment with everything that this is just about tipping me completely over the edge...
Basically we got sent an email at work telling us that "a year 8 student" has been diagnosed with scarlet fever. It was initially thought to be the flu, but they changed their mind, apparently. The thing that freaks me out the most is that they gave no indication of WHO the student was, so I have no idea if this person is in my class or whether I've been exposed or not...
So, does anyone know if scarlet fever can cause problems in pregnancy? How scared should I be with regards to possible exposure? How contagious is it - is it likely to spread through the entire school increasing my risks of exposure?
It's just another stress I don't need on top of the severe anemia (I've just been told I have to take three iron tablets every day) and the potential problems with only having one artery in the umbilical cord...
I'm very much at the point of stop the world, I wanna get off! So far from coping that we're not even in the same dimension at the moment!
Was thinking the same thing BW - they don't have to tell you who it was just whether or not you've been exposed to the virus?
Just did a quick google and I think you can stop panicking - it's just a strain of strep throat and is treated with ABs. Doesn't look like there would be any danger to your bub even if you did get it, but apparently it isn't very contagious anyway so you should both be fine.
I'd get on the phone to your ob, that's what i did when I was exposed to Rubella during my prg with L.
Last edited by Willow; August 25th, 2008 at 05:22 PM.
I was exposed through a 3rd party - not me personally, but DH - when pg with DD2. I freaked & looked it up. I couldn't find anything, so I felt ok.
Give your gp, or ob a quick call & ask them if they think you should worry.
That's the annoying and frustrating thing... By the time I got the email (bloody meetings after work!), it was too late to confirm things with the school, and probably now too late to get hold of my OB as well!
I'm completely over the stress here! Didn't we go through enough just getting to this point?
The school should let you know if there is a chance you have been exposed to the child BW.
I found this website from the National Health System in UK on SF which may be useful. Best go and see your GP/OB if there is a chance you have been exposed or even just to put your mind at rest etc.
I don't know about your Ob BW, but I know mine would have been happy for me to ring, or page, him after hours with a question like that.............it would certainly ease your worry somewhat. I won't tell you not to worry in the meantime, as we know it's not that easy!
BW, sorry to hear that you are going through a bit of tough time ATM...I agree with the girls already said, you are absolutely in the right to follow up with the school, even they don't give the name, they should be able to tell you if you are exposed to it.
As of too late to contact them and OB, maybe google can get you through tonight? I know how worried and angonizing it could be....I acutally just did a quick search (I can PM you if you need the link), it seems that it is not that contigous like other infection and they said basically the effect to an unborn child is none...
On a brighter side, I just saw your ticker, wow, almost 20 weeks, that's half of the pregnancy, well done you for making it this far. I am sure this is just a little hurdle you need to get through and will get through
BW if it's any comfort I worked at a childcare centre during the first 3/4 of my second pregnancy. I was exposed to lots of nasty infections one of which i think was Scarlet fever. Mainly it was foot and mouth which was rampant at the time. At least you know that you have been exposed and can keep an eye out for symptoms and seek treatment early. In reality you could be exposed to it in the general public and not even know it! You could be standing next to a sufferer in a queue and they might even sneeze in your direction... and you'd think little of it. You could sit next to a sufferer on a train, or at the football. Our bodies are usually very resilient. Just keep yourself warm and healthy and that's the best you can do darl. Remember that everything feels more alarming/dangerous for you ATM... it's a hormonal response... as hard as it might be to hear just take one day at a time... you can only do what you can... "This Too Shall Pass" (my favourite mantra). I'm sure the girls here are right... SF is not one of the really bad ones... I'm sure you'll be fine. *more hugs*
Oh honey, you poor things I wish I could just give you a great big cuddle. If your worried and think you can't call your dr maybe try MotherSafe its a free phone service that is usually run by nurses, they should be able to tell you if you are in any trouble. I am like you though, I am paranoid about being around anyone who even sneezes near me. I wont go and visit my MIL in hospital after her hip replacement because I could catch something nasty from the hospital air conditioning.
Take a big deep breath and know that even though some things can pass through to bubby, most of the time they are oblivious to our aliments. Please cheer up... your pregnant at least and half way there. In just 4 months or less you will be holding your sweet little bundle of cuddles and all this will be a past memory. Try and think of the positives and don't let any stress steal this experience from you, cause you deserve it!
P.S. Go and book yourself a foot massage or reflexology and zone out for a bit.
BW, I just checked my book titled "when your child is ill" and scarlett Fever does not mention anything about staying away from pregnant women. In this book it does state when the illness is a risk to pregnant women.
So I am sure you will be ok. I know though that is very hard not to worry. Did you end up phoning your Obs for advice?
Just to add.... I think Scarlet Fever got a name as being one of the dreaded diseases in the days before antibiotics... it was made famous in book like Little Women where I think one of the sisters, Amy nearly died of it. These days it's probably more easily dealt with than a severe influenza virus... i think SF is bacterial meaning it can be treated with antibiotics... whereas the 'flu can't.
yep, just confirmed that it is bacterial... making it very treatable.
Thanks to everyone for the reassurance. I've found enough information online and from others here (thanks, Nadine!) to leave me feeling comfortable that it's not a highly contagious disease and that even if I do manage to catch it that it won't do serious damage to the parasite.
I'm at home resting today, the anemia was just getting too much to cope with and I didn't sleep at all well (I woke up around 3am and it took me until 5am to realise that the reason I couldn't get back to sleep was because I was hungry!). I'm feeling so much better for the rest, and I'm enjoying my slothful PJ day.
I don't get many kicks (shy little parasite that likes to face my back), but I can feel the baby moving and wiggling today and I'm able to notice so much more than if I was running around frantically at work. That in itself is extremely reassuring!
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Freaking out - scarlet fever
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