Illness risk working around children during pregnancy?

Hi,

I will be doing some voluntary work in a school in the 3rd trimester.
Should I be worried about exposing myself to groups of young children
(between 5 and 10yrs) as they could be more likely to give me
illnesses such as colds, flu, etc etc? Is this a risk not worth
taking? I caught mumps off a group of 4 year olds when a teenager and
so know how they can be risky in this sense!
I appreciate there must be many teachers out there who continue to
work with children whilst pregnant, and so what are people's views on
this?

thanks!

"Abi" wrote in message
om...
Hi,

I will be doing some voluntary work in a school in the 3rd trimester.
Should I be worried about exposing myself to groups of young children
(between 5 and 10yrs) as they could be more likely to give me
illnesses such as colds, flu, etc etc? Is this a risk not worth
taking? I caught mumps off a group of 4 year olds when a teenager and
so know how they can be risky in this sense!
I appreciate there must be many teachers out there who continue to
work with children whilst pregnant, and so what are people's views on
this?

thanks!

Well I'm pregnant and around my 5 yr old, 4 yr old, and 2 yr old 24/7 and
(some days unfortunately ) can't quit
I think you'll be fine. Dose up on vitamins and OJ, wash hands a lot, use
hand sanitizer if you're that worried.

Sophie
#4 due 7/18/04

Abi wrote in message
Hi,

I will be doing some voluntary work in a school in the 3rd trimester.
Should I be worried about exposing myself to groups of young children
(between 5 and 10yrs) as they could be more likely to give me
illnesses such as colds, flu, etc etc? Is this a risk not worth
taking?

Well parents of multiple children can't escape their other children when the
flu season goes around or other illnesses that they come in contact with.
You just have to wash your hands a lot and use common sense. Have you had
chicken pox? If so, then you should be immuned to it. You can't stop not
interacting with people because you are pregnant.
--
Sue (mom to three girls)
I'm Just a Raggedy Ann in a Barbie Doll World...

last year and the year beofre where not to bad for us, but this year I have
four children in school and two are mine, the other two I sit before and
after school. I have found this year that we got everything....... from
October 1- Dec.31, I was sick,... I went from having a cold to a stomach
virun, back to a cold, with a cough that I had for 2 months solid, then both
DH and I had strep throat, then back to another cold and then the stomch flu
again. Two of my friends have just had the stomach flu over the weekend so
I hope that they are the last of the bunch, we don't want any more bugs in
the house. Being sick for 3 months pretty well without a break was
definatly long enough for us !!!
I hope next year that we will be more immune to many more illnessses.
Karen

wrote in message
...

Do you have school age children at home? If so your
immunity may be build up.

When my daugther started kindergarten she brought home every
illness. We were basically sick from September to April of
that year with one thing after another, it was horrible!

This year we have only gotten sick once.




On 20 Jan 2004 05:14:34 -0800, in misc.kids.pregnancy
(Abi) wrote:

Hi,

I will be doing some voluntary work in a school in the 3rd
trimester.
Should I be worried about exposing myself to groups of young
children
(between 5 and 10yrs) as they could be more likely to give
me
illnesses such as colds, flu, etc etc? Is this a risk not
worth
taking? I caught mumps off a group of 4 year olds when a
teenager and
so know how they can be risky in this sense!
I appreciate there must be many teachers out there who
continue to
work with children whilst pregnant, and so what are people's
views on
this?

thanks!

"Abi" wrote in message
om...
Hi,

I will be doing some voluntary work in a school in the 3rd trimester.
Should I be worried about exposing myself to groups of young children
(between 5 and 10yrs) as they could be more likely to give me
illnesses such as colds, flu, etc etc? Is this a risk not worth
taking? I caught mumps off a group of 4 year olds when a teenager and
so know how they can be risky in this sense!
I appreciate there must be many teachers out there who continue to
work with children whilst pregnant, and so what are people's views on
this?

thanks!

You might want to be aware of the risk of Fifth's Disease, which is fairly
common and harmless in children, but which can cause miscarriage if you get
it in early pregnancy. Kids with Fifth's Disease get a rash on their cheeks
and may have a fever and flu-like symptoms Because of the red cheeks, it's
also called "Slapped Cheek Disease". If it's starts going around where you
work, you should consult your dr. (there is a test to see if you've already
had it and are immune, but I think it's only so-so reliable). Other than
that, there's the usual risk of getting "kid diseases" as an adult (chicken
pox, etc.) Since we can't avoid everything, it's best to wash your hands a
lot (carry antibacterial towelettes or gel too) and avoid obviously sick
people if you can. Even better to teach the kids to wash their hands a lot
too! I'm ttc and work with kids in their homes (some of which are less than
sanitary), so I've been super conscious about hand washing and using
antibacterial gel (and washing my phone, doorknobs, etc on a more regular
basis).
Amy