Freaking out - scarlet fever

[Cuddlepie]

Bw, just saw your another post, maybe leave Google out then....oops

[Bathsheba]

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*

[puppies]

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.

[Nadine]

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?

[Bathsheba]

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.

[butterfly_warrior]

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!

BW