Slapped Cheek / Virus

[petes_dragon]

Hi,

I've put this in parenting too - but its about illness, so I'm putting it here aswell - might get more advice!

I know someone was talking about this the other day, so sorry if its repeating stuff!

I think my son has slapped cheek but no-one I ask has ever heard of it!....he has had a cold for about a week now and has been generally under the weather and has had a high temp - yesterday a rash appeared on one cheek - bright red & slightly raised!....he also had a bit f a rash on his lower back/bum a few days ago (I noticed it in the bath) but it went away overnight.

I've spoken to NHS direct and they said possibly a viral rash - I'm going to take him to the GP tomorrow but I know they'll just say lots of fluids & Calpol for the temp!

He only started nursery 2 weeks ago, so I don't want to keep him off for too long if I can help it as he is just starting to settle in..

I've got 3 questions really....

Do you think it is Slapped Cheek or a virus?

How contagious is it - or does it stop being contagious once the rash appears?....(he's been with my sister this week & she is 6mths pregnant!!)

Should I keep him off nursery etc?

Any advice appreciated
A xXx

[~x ello x~]

hi hun!! sorry to hear the little one isn't well. i've had a read of this
http://www.medic8.com/healthguide/articles/sla ppedcheekdis.html
and from what you have said it doesn't appear to be that. hope he feels better soon and it's nothing serious
posy xXx

[RATTER15]

Read this it may help: http://www.ich.ucl.ac.uk/factsheets/families/F 030105/index.html

[noxlumos]

Right hello Petes-dragon, this is REALLY important.
My son had slapped cheek syndrome when my wife was pregnant with our eight year old daughter and it can result in feotal death if the mother is not monitored. What happens is the foetus developes hydrops and could potentially die, so you MUST get your sister checked ASAP. Don't be fobbed off as very few GP's even know this. We were lucky and mentioned it casually to a midwife who had previously worked in the Foetal Medicine Unit at St Michael's Hospital in Bristol and she really moved on it. My wife had to go for weekly scans (U/S /dopplers etc) and was checked rigourously.If it's checked it can be treated and all will be fine.
If you can't get any sense out of her GP/ midwife about it PLEASE call St Michaels Feotal medicine unit in Bristol who will then contact your GP for you.
Also warn the nursery and any other expectant mother's as it's only truly dangerous to the unborn.It has to be taken really seriously in case it is fifths disease/slap cheek.
I hope I've not alarmed you too much, but please get her checked at a FMU ( her Dr should take a blood test to see if she has anti-bodies , if she does, she MUST be scanned).

[petes_dragon]

Thanks fo your answers.

My sister is booked in for a scan tomorrow anyway, so I'll get her to mention it to the midwife while she's at the hospital & hopefully get a blood test!!

I've got to call my GP in the morning & get an appt for tomorrow to confirm if it is Slapped Cheek or not

A xXx

[redcrx]

HI PD,
It was me that posted about slapped cheek this week as my son was diagnosed with it.

It does not require treatment from the GP but it is contagious before the rash appears so please warn the nursery and ANY pregnant women who have been near by.

Im my sons case he had a temp of 102-105 for 4 days running which suddenly disappeared. 24 hours later he got the rash which went from his neck down to his bum. He then got cold and flu symptoms but his temp was fine.

\get your GP to see him tomorrow but warn your sisterASAP and get her to call her midwife before her scan.

I hope he feels better soon, my sons rash has gone now (1 week later) but it can come and go for up to a month.

[redcrx]

Also take a look at some pics online of slapped cheek, it looks similar to measles pics, very blotchy.

My son has had viral rashes and they are usually paler and smaller in size to what he had this week.

[Hans_Olo]

Could be slapped cheek - quite common and GP's should recognize it so worth a visit - nothing you can for your son although it can cause problems with haemoglobin - the stuff that makes your cells red - if you have a problem with it in the first place if not no problems but there is a risk to unborn babies, as said before causes foetal hydrops - due to anaemia in the baby - but it is treatable in the womb if necessary. I think it is under 20 weeks that the infection has to be contracted - most adults have had it anyway. Guess to answer your questions - see your GP, quite contagious 6 days to 3 days before by the time rash occurs wont be, keep off nursery? - Hard one! They will probably say yes but by the time they have the rash they are getting better and the infection has already been passed on! Health protection agency advice is no exclusion period is necessary - except for pregnant women but they will already have been exposed to it by the time it is realized that it is what it is!