Children with slapped cheek, also known as fifth disease, usually display minimal or no symptoms of the virus. You might not even realise your child is sick. If you’re pregnant and your child has slapped cheek, you’ll need to get a blood test to determine if you’ve had the virus in the past. If you’ve already had it, there is no risk to your baby, but if you haven’t, your unborn baby is at a small risk of developing a form of anaemia that is rarely serious and usually self-resolves. Your baby will be carefully monitored for the remainder of your pregnancy.

 

 

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Signs and symptoms

 

-Fever, headache, upset stomach.

-Aches and pains.

– Bright red rash on cheeks,  which can look like slap marks.

– Pink lace pattern rash on chest, back, arm, or legs, different in appearance to cheek rash.

 

Seek medical advice IF

 

-Your child is has a compromised immune system, sickle cell or severe anaemia or has been on a long term course of steroids.

-Your child develops swelling and pain in their hand and feet joints.

 

…and to maintain perspective!!

 

Dramatic as its name sounds, slapped cheek is a mild viral infection that rarely causes complications. Your child is no longer contagious when they have been fever-free for 24 hours. If you are pregnant, try and stay calm: the risk of your unborn baby developing anaemia is small, and there are no other health issues associated with the virus.