Fifths Disease and teachers - UPDATE

I am a first grade teacher. I just came home and there was a message from the school nurse that a child in kindergarten has suspected fifths disease. I immediately called my doctor's office and there is no one that can talk to me (my doctor is on vacation and the other doctors are in surgery). So now I have to wait to call after hours and speak to another doctor.

I have been out of school for the past 2 days after a minor scare the other night (some bleeding) and the doctor wanted me to stay home and take it easy (everything is fine). Anyway, I am sort of freaking out more because I may have to take MORE time off and also just because I have no idea what exactly this news of fifths disease means for me.

Anyone have any experience with this? TIA!


UPDATE: Turns out I was tested early on and I'm immune. What a relief!

Message edited 1/22/2007 5:54:22 PM.

Re: Fifths Disease and teachers

My doctor did blood tests early in the pregnancy to determine if I was immune to fifth's disease or not...I am, luckily.
check with your doctor to see if they can find out.
And in the meantime, just stay away from that child!

It's scary....I just found out from the nyurse that one of the other teachers at my school has shingles!

Re: Fifths Disease and teachers

Re: Fifths Disease and teachers

Your doctor can check your blood to see if youre immune to it but unfortunately, from what I've heard, there is not much they can do for you if you're not.

Re: Fifths Disease and teachers

i had a similar situation last week. we had a few cases of fifth disease in my school and possibly even one student in my class (he came to school with a red rash after being out for a few days but his mom says she "doesnt think it was 5th disease").
i called my dr and apparently an immunity to fifth disease is something they check for when they take all those blood tests at your first appt. i found out that i had never had it and therefore was not immune to it so i went for a blood test and stayed out of work for a few days just to make sure there were no new cases. thankfully i got my results today and it was negative

your dr should be able to tell you if you are immune to it or not. hopefully you are so you shouldnt have a problem. but even if you arent - dont worry just yet. unless u have actual contact with someone who has it, you cant get it (touch their used tissue, saliva, etc).

GOOD LUCK!!

Message edited 1/19/2007 7:08:16 PM.

Re: Fifths Disease and teachers

I got fifth's disease when I was 5 months pregnant. Although I had taught for years, I was not immune b/c I had never gotten as a child or as an adult. I stayed out of school (it was June) until the end of the year. The doctor will take another sample of blood from you to see if you converted from non immune to immune (this signifies that you have contracted it). The risk is for the fetus to become anemic. Luckily, my babies were just fine, although I was monitored by high risk doctors until they were born. Hope that you are immune and can avoid all of this!!

Re: Fifths Disease and teachers

YOU MAY BE IMMUNE TO IT, I AM NOT UNFORTUNALTY, I JUST GOT MY RESULTS BACK, BUT I AM SURE THE DOC WOULD HAVE TOLD YOU IF YOU WERNT IMMUNE... KEEP US UPDATED

Re: Fifths Disease and teachers

a teacher in my Mom's school lost her baby b/c of this- I would be careful and go to the doctor

Re: Fifths Disease and teachers

Re: Fifths Disease and teachers

My nurse told me that once the rash is on the child's face it is already past being contageous. Usually your dr. will give you a blood test early to see if you are immune.

Re: Fifths Disease and teachers - UPDATE

Bumped for update in original post.