Parvovirus infection

Description

Parvovirus infection is a common and highly contagious childhood disease. Sometimes called slapped-cheek disease because of the distinctive face rash that develops. Parvovirus infection has also been known as fifth disease because, historically, was the fifth in a list of common childhood illnesses characterized by a rash.

In most children, parvovirus infection is mild and may not need treatment. But in some adults, the infection can be severe. Parvovirus infection in some pregnant women can cause serious health problems for the fetus. The infection is more serious for people with some types of anemia, or have a compromised immune system.

Symptoms

The majority of people with parvovirus infection have no signs or symptoms. When symptoms do appear, they may vary greatly depending on the age of contracting the disease.

Parvovirus symptoms in children

The first signs and symptoms of parvovirus infection in children may include:

  • Fever
  • Upset stomach
  • Headache
  • Runny nose

Distinctive facial rash

Several days after the onset of the first symptoms, a distinctive bright red rash can appear on the face of your child — usually on both cheeks. It can eventually spread to the arms, trunk, thighs, and buttocks, where the rash is pink, lace, slightly elevated appearance. The rash may be itchy, especially on the soles of the feet.

Usually, the rash occurs near the end of the disease. It is possible to confuse the eruption of other viral rashes or a drug-related rash. The rash may appear and disappear for three weeks, becoming more and more visible when the child is exposed to extreme temperatures or spend a lot of time in the sun.

Parvovirus symptoms in adults

Adults don't usually develop the slapped-cheek rash. In contrast, the most noticeable symptom of parvovirus infection in adults is joint soreness, lasting days or weeks. The joints most commonly affected are the hands, wrists, knees and ankles.

When to see a doctor

Usually, you do not need to see a doctor for parvovirus infection. But if you or your child has an underlying condition that may increase the risk of complications, make an appointment with your doctor. These conditions include:

  • Sickle cell anemia
  • Deterioration of the immune system
  • Pregnancy

Causes

Human parvovirus B19 causes of infection by parvovirus. This is different from the parvovirus seen in dogs and cats, so you may not get the infection of a pet or vice versa.

The human parvovirus infection is more common among elementary school-age children during outbreaks in the winter and spring months, but anyone can become ill with it at any time of the year. It is spread from person to person like a cold, often through breathing, coughing and saliva, so that it can be spread through close contact between the people and the hand-to-hand contact.

The Parvovirus infection may also spread through the blood. An infected pregnant woman can transmit the virus to her baby.

The disease is contagious in the week before the rash appears. Once the rash appears, you or your child are no longer considered contagious and do not need to be isolated.

Complications

The Parvovirus and anemia

Parvovirus infection can cause serious complications for people with anemia. The Anemia is a condition in which the cells that carry oxygen to all parts of your body (red blood cells) are used faster than the bone marrow can replace them. Parvovirus infection in persons with anemia may stop the production of red blood cells and cause anemia crisis. People with sickle cell disease who are at particular risk.

The Parvovirus can also cause anemia and related complications:

  • The unborn children of women infected with the parvovirus during pregnancy
  • People who have weakened immune systems

Parvovirus infection in pregnancy

Parvovirus infection during pregnancy sometimes affects the red blood cells in the fetus. Although rare, this can cause severe anemia, which could lead to miscarriage or fetal death. Fetal risk seems to be higher during the first half of pregnancy.

Parvovirus in people with weakened immune systems

The Parvovirus infection may also cause severe anemia in people who have compromised immune systems, which may be the result of:

  • HIV infection
  • Treatments for cancer
  • The Anti-rejection drugs used after organ transplants

Prevention

There is a vaccine to prevent infection by parvovirus. Once you have been infected with the parvovirus, you get immunity for life. You can reduce the chances of getting an infection by washing your hands and your child's hands often, not touching the face, avoiding people who are sick, and not sharing food or drinks.

Parvovirus infection

Diagnosis

About half of adults are immune to parvovirus infection, most likely due to a previous, unnoticed in the infancy of the infection. People who are at risk of severe parvovirus complications could benefit from blood tests that can help determine if you are immune to parvovirus or if you have recently been infected.

Treatment

For a simple parvovirus infection, treatment of personal care in the home is usually sufficient. People with severe anemia may need to stay in the hospital and receive blood transfusions. Those with weakened immune systems may receive antibodies through the immunoglobulin injections to treat the infection.

Self-care

The self-care treatment is aimed at relieving the signs and symptoms and relieve any discomfort. Make sure that you or your child has plenty of rest and drink plenty of fluids. Acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) may help relieve the temperature higher than 102 F (39 C) or minor aches and pains.

Use caution when giving aspirin to children or teenagers. Even though aspirin is approved for use in children older than 3 years of age, children and teenagers recovering from chickenpox or flu-like symptoms should never take aspirin. This is because aspirin has been linked with Reye's syndrome, a rare but potentially fatal in these children.

It is impractical and unnecessary to isolate your sick child. You do not know your child has an infection with parvovirus until the rash appears, and in that moment, your child is no longer contagious.

Preparing for your appointment

The majority of people with parvovirus infection do not seek medical attention. You may want to talk with your family doctor if you or your child has been exposed to parvovirus, and has an underlying condition that increases the risk of complications.

What you can do

Before the appointment, you can write a list that includes:

  • When and how you or your child is exposed to parvovirus
  • A detailed description of the symptoms
  • Medical problems that run in your family
  • The medical problems that you or your child has had in the past
  • All medications and supplements that you or your child takes

What to expect from your doctor

During the physical exam, your doctor will pay special attention to any kind of rashes on the skin. If you're a female past puberty, your doctor may ask if there is any possibility that you are pregnant.

Symptoms and treatment of Parvovirus infection