More than 400 people who were treated at Long Island's Stony Brook University Medical Center this summer have gotten a letter of caution about possible exposure to a childhood disease.
A medical resident and nurse recently came down with "fifth disease," which is caused by a virus. It gets its name from being the fifth in a line of childhood rash-producing disorders, including measles, rubella and scarlet fever.
A hospital spokeswoman said 480 letters were sent to patients who were in the labor and delivery area or in the maternal-fetal clinic between June 26 and July 28.
"It's an extremely small population that could be affected," she said.
The hospital set up a hot line at (631) 444-4000.
The virus could cause complications for expectant women in the first half of their pregnancy or people with weakened immune systems.
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