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Source: http://www.kens5.com/news/health/Expectant-mothers-warned-of-virus-outbreak-124106449.html
Expectant mothers warned of dangerous virus outbreak in Texas
by Janet St. James
kens5.com
Posted on June 17, 2011 at 5:27 PM
Heightened concern about an outbreak of a common, but potentially dangerous virus.
Some Denton and Collin county schools sent notes home to parents about a higher number of Fifth disease cases before classes let out.
Fifth Disease is most common in children between the ages of 5 and 15, which is where the disease got its name. It is characterized by a fever, body aches, and a bright red rash on the face.
The disease is caused by the parvo b19 virus, which is not related to the parvo virus that affects dogs.
Most children exposed to the virus recover quickly. Some never show symptoms. Adults can also develop sickness.
"It's fine in children," says Parkland and UT Southwestern maternal-fetal specialist Dr. Ashley Hickman. "Unfortunately, when pregnant women are exposed, if they've never had the virus before, they can pass it on to their fetus. And the fetus can become severely ill from anemia. The virus attacks their bone marrow and causes the bone marrow to stop producing red cells."
Parkland may see one case of Fifth Disease in an unborn baby a year. Right now, doctors are actively tracking at least a dozen cases.
Most expectant mothers don't realize they've even been exposed...
Expectant mothers warned of dangerous virus outbreak in Texas
by Janet St. James
kens5.com
Posted on June 17, 2011 at 5:27 PM
Heightened concern about an outbreak of a common, but potentially dangerous virus.
Some Denton and Collin county schools sent notes home to parents about a higher number of Fifth disease cases before classes let out.
Fifth Disease is most common in children between the ages of 5 and 15, which is where the disease got its name. It is characterized by a fever, body aches, and a bright red rash on the face.
The disease is caused by the parvo b19 virus, which is not related to the parvo virus that affects dogs.
Most children exposed to the virus recover quickly. Some never show symptoms. Adults can also develop sickness.
"It's fine in children," says Parkland and UT Southwestern maternal-fetal specialist Dr. Ashley Hickman. "Unfortunately, when pregnant women are exposed, if they've never had the virus before, they can pass it on to their fetus. And the fetus can become severely ill from anemia. The virus attacks their bone marrow and causes the bone marrow to stop producing red cells."
Parkland may see one case of Fifth Disease in an unborn baby a year. Right now, doctors are actively tracking at least a dozen cases.
Most expectant mothers don't realize they've even been exposed...