fifths disease

[KD's Momma]

so, i have recently discovered that my 3 yo has fifths disease - he has the rash on his face and body - this is how I found out he had the illness, so we are already well past the contagious period.  I am 33 weeks preg and from all the research I have done, it seems like this poses no harm to me at this late date in preg.  My question is should I even mention it to my mw/ob?  I don't want to go through a whole bunch of test and such just because.  I have no symptoms though I know I am still in the incubation period, as is my other 2 kids. 

[Maurine]

I did some research b/c someone at work had it.  I would definitely tell your mw.  They can do a simple blood test to see if you are immune (many of us are) and if so, you don't have to worry.  If not, then they just wait to see if you get it.  If you DO get it, they definitely want to check the baby to make sure s/he's not developing a blood disorder or anemia.  (Fifths interferes with production of red blood cells.)  It's rare to have complications after 20 weeks, but one statistic I read said it was still 1%.  If it were me, I wouldn't want to risk it.  So...no reason to freak out or anything, but I would mention it.

[Maurine]

Oh, this is where I read that statistic:  http://www.otispregnancy.org/files/fifthdisease.pdf