Parvo virus in children

Pregnancy and fifth disease. Riley LE, et al. Parvovirus B19 infection during pregnancy. Treatment and prevention of parvovirus B19 infection. Parvovirus-associated arthritis. Mayo Clinic; Recommendations for prevention and control of influenza in children, Sullivan JE, et al. Clinical report — Fever and antipyretic use in children. Reaffirmed Labeling of drug preparations containing salicylates.

Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. Accessed Feb. Renaud DL expert opinion. Mayo Clinic. Related Parvovirus infection face rash. Associated Procedures Blood transfusion. A pregnant woman who is infected with parvovirus B19 can pass the virus to her baby.

Any pregnant woman who may have been exposed to parvovirus B19 should contact their obstetrician or healthcare provider as soon as possible. In the U. Mini-outbreaks of parvovirus B19 infection occur about every 3 to 4 years. Since parvovirus B19 only infects humans, a person cannot get the virus from a dog or cat.

Also, dogs and cats cannot get parvovirus B19 from an infected person. Pet dogs and cats can get infected with other parvoviruses that do not infect humans. Pets can be vaccinated to protect them from parvovirus infection. Your healthcare provider can do a blood test to determine if you are susceptible or possibly immune to parvovirus B19 infection or if you were recently infected. This is not a routine test but can be performed in special circumstances. Talk to your healthcare provider.

The blood test may be particularly helpful for pregnant women who may have been exposed to parvovirus B19 and are suspected to have fifth disease. Occasionally, the rash may itch. An ill child may have a low-grade fever, malaise, or a "cold" a few days before the rash breaks out. The child is usually not very ill, and the rash resolves in 7 to 10 days. An adult who is infected with parvovirus B19 may have no symptoms at all, or may develop a rash, joint pain or swelling, or both.

The joint symptoms usually resolve in a week or two, but can last longer. The incubation period varies from days from infection to the development of a characteristic rash or other symptoms. The virus is spread by contact with infected respiratory secretions for example, by coughing , and from mother to unborn baby. Usually there is no serious complication for a pregnant woman or her baby following exposure to a person with parvovirus B19 infection.

A doctor can often diagnose parvovirus B19 by seeing the typical rash during a physical examination. In cases in which it is important to confirm the diagnosis, a blood test may be done to look for antibodies to parvovirus. A blood test for parvovirus B19 may show that you are either:. Treatment of symptoms such as fever, pain, or itching is usually all that is needed for parvovirus B Adults with joint pain and swelling may need to rest, restrict their activities, and take medicines such as aspirin or ibuprofen to relieve symptoms.

Cases are not excluded form childcare, school or work but should be advised to rest at home until they feel better. You may be trying to access this site from a secured browser on the server. Please enable scripts and reload this page. Skip to content Contact us Emergency information.

Last updated: 16 January