My unborn baby nearly died after her big sister caught a common bug at school – please keep your sick kids at home
A mother who contracted a common illness from her daughter and almost lost her unborn child has alerted other parents to the risks.
At just 25 weeks into her second pregnancy, 34-year-old Zoe Ellard was taken to the hospital after her oldest daughter returned from school ill.
The child had contracted slapped cheek syndrome, a common childhood ailment that manifests as a red rash on one or both cheeks, headaches, and a fever.
It is brought on by a virus known as parvovirus B19, which is spread via sneezes, coughs, and contact with contaminated things.
Since most people don’t realize they have slapped cheek syndrome until they have the rash, it spreads easily.
Adults are less likely to contract it, although it can worsen.
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After Zoe contracted the slapped cheek virus from her toddler, her unborn child developed hydrops fetalis, a severe swelling caused by the virus.
Little Elsie, who is now 15 months old, miraculously survived after being born at 27 weeks, despite the distraught mother’s prediction that she would die.
In order to bring attention to the seriousness of slapped cheek syndrome for expectant moms and their unborn children, Zoe, a resident of Peterborough, Cambridge, has now told her tale.
She has asked for changes to the rules that permit parents to send their sick children to school.
The hairstylist stated: “Our family was torn apart when we almost lost Elise.
“No one knew how to care for her when she was born.
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We were informed that she was the only infant in the United Kingdom to have the severity of her condition and to live. We were quite fortunate.
“I just want people to realise how dangerous slapped cheek is.”
Pregnant women are especially at risk for slapped cheek since it can cause hydrops fetalis, another deadly illness that can infect unborn children.
It results in a significant accumulation of fluid in the baby’s organs and tissues, which leads to widespread edema.
Approximately 50% of infants that get hydrops do not make it out alive.
However, the NHS states that pregnant women with slapped cheek syndrome have a very low risk of miscarriage and other problems.
At the start of July 2023, Zoe called Peterborough City Hospital to report that Maddison, who was ten at the time, had slapped cheek.
She stated: “I knew that may be harmful to expectant mothers, and I was informed that the midwife would check with the doctor to see if I needed to be seen.
“I was then informed that I wouldn’t require a blood test because it was quite uncommon for a lady my age to not be immune to slapped cheek, but I could ask my doctor for one if I wanted to feel better.
“I said ‘good luck with that as I can never get through to them’.”
‘Touch and go’
Even though Zoe was only 25 weeks pregnant, she called the hospital’s NHS pregnancy helpline two weeks later to report feeling large and heavy.
Zoe insisted on being seen before being admitted to the hospital and transmitted a tape of her baby’s heartbeat to the hospital’s midwife.
Based on tests, physicians determined that Zoe had gone into preterm labor and that her baby had hydrops.
After being transported by blue light to Luton and Dunstable University Hospital, she was informed that her baby had fluid on her stomach, brain, and heart.
Zoe received the heartbreaking news that Elsie would not live because her organs were failing.
“The primary objective was to transport me to Luton Hospital so that the fetal medicine team could evaluate the situation,” the mother of two continued.
“It was touch and go whether my baby survived the night when we arrived and were informed that we would be blue-lighted to King’s College Hospital in London the following day.
“We informed London that Elsie had a blood count of two, although the typical range is between fourteen and twenty-four.
What is slapped cheek syndrome and who is at risk?
Known as “fifth disease,” slapped cheek syndrome is a common viral infection that often resolves on its own after three weeks.
Although less common in adults, it can be more severe.
Signs and symptoms
Usually, feeling ill for a few days is the first indication. Symptoms could consist of:
- a high temperature
- a runny nose and sore throat
- a headache
After that, one or both cheeks may have a red rash, though adults seldom get it.
A few days later, the arms, legs, back, and chest may develop a patchy rash.
On black and brown skin, the rash may be more noticeable and elevated.
Though it occasionally lasts longer, it normally goes away in one to three weeks.
The spread of slapped cheek syndrome
Sneezes, coughs, and contact with contaminated objects can all spread the infection.
However, since most people are unaware of their condition until they get a rash, it can be challenging to prevent its spread.
It can only be disseminated prior to the rash developing.
How slapped cheek syndrome is treated
At-home treatment for slapped cheek syndrome includes relaxation, drinking lots of water to prevent dehydration, and taking ibuprofen and paracetamol if you’re uncomfortable.
If you believe you have slapped cheek syndrome and you are pregnant, have a blood condition, or have a compromised immune system, you should consult your general practitioner.
If you believe you have slapped cheek syndrome, call NHS 111 or make an immediate appointment with your doctor if you have:
- very pale skin
- shortness of breath
- extreme tiredness
- fainted
From the NHS
We were informed that she would have been a stillborn child if I had visited the hospital a few hours later.
“Over the course of two weeks, physicians attempted to save Elise’s life by administering two blood transfusions to the umbilical chord while she was still in the womb.
“We were told the treatment was working but not as well as they had hoped and I was preparing to give birth to a stillborn.”
In addition to experiencing several of Elsie’s symptoms, such as liver issues and heart failure, Zoe also developed mirror syndrome, a rare but potentially fatal pregnancy condition.
‘On the rise’
Since it was anticipated that her baby would be stillborn, Zoe released herself on July 20 to spend time with her older daughter; nonetheless, she went into labor on that same day.
Zoe was informed that it would take several hours to determine whether she would live, even though the team was able to birth Elsie and ventilate her at the time of delivery.
Elsie battled for her life during the 14 weeks the family spent in the hospital, which included six weeks at Leicester Royal Infirmary.
Elsie is now 15 months old and has started to crawl, despite being delivered at 27 weeks owing to a placental abruption, which occurs when the placenta separates from the uterine wall.
Despite being asymptomatic and non-contagious, Elsie still has parvovirus in her blood.
In order to determine whether her immune system is weakened, doctors are currently awaiting the results of more testing.
Zoe stated: “These blood tests must be made available to women, and regulations must be modified.
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“Slapped cheek is becoming more common, but no one is aware of how harmful it is to expectant mothers and their unborn children.
“It’s unbelievable that guidelines still exist that tell parents that they can send their children to school with slapped cheek.”
What are the school guidelines for slapped cheek syndrome?
The NHS states that if your child has slapped cheek syndrome, you do not have to keep them home from school.
This is due to the fact that they become non-contagious once the rash starts.
However, parents are urged to notify the instructor or school if they believe their child has slapped cheek syndrome.
Source: NHS
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