Human parvovirus B19 (PV-B19) causes a childhood disease called rash, which is minor in children but can cause serious health problems in adults, pregnant women, people with deficient immune systems, and anemia. Symptoms include an itchy rash, joint pain, headache, fatigue, fever, nausea, and diarrhea. Treatment is usually limited to pain management with over-the-counter medications.
Rash is a common childhood disease caused by a virus called human parvovirus B19 (PV-B19). Worldwide, infection with this virus is most common in late winter and early spring. The annual incidence rate of infection is cyclical, with higher infection rates occurring every four to seven years. The disease is minor in children, but can cause serious health problems in adults, people with deficient immune systems, pregnant women, and people with anemia. Erythema infectious is also known as fifth disease and slapped cheek syndrome.
Human parvovirus B19 (PV-B19) childhood infection is largely harmless. The main symptom is an itchy rash that spreads all over the body and is heaviest on the cheeks, arms, and legs. In adolescents and adults, stiff, painful, swollen joints are a common additional symptom. Activities that involve flexing the joints tend to be painful and difficult. Other symptoms of infectious rash in adults or children can include headache, fatigue, fever, nausea, and diarrhea.
Although most symptoms of infectious rash are mild and harmless, the disease can cause severe symptoms in some people. Women in the first trimester of pregnancy are at risk of miscarriage if they are infected with the virus. The infection can cause a life-threatening condition called hydrops fetalis, in which fluid builds up in the chest cavity of the developing fetus. The fetus is also at risk for anemia and congestive heart failure.
People with chronic hemolytic anemia disorders such as sickle cell disease are also at risk of serious complications. Chronic hemolytic anemia disorders are the result of abnormal levels of red blood cell destruction. In the case of human parvovirus B19 (PV-B19) infection, people with hemolytic anemia can go into an aplastic crisis situation, in which a large number of immature red blood cells are destroyed. Someone in an aplastic crisis is at risk for dangerously low blood oxygen levels, which can be fatal if not treated promptly. Aplastic crisis can typically be avoided with a blood transfusion.
Anyone with an immune deficiency is at risk for potentially serious complications. The greatest risk is from a chronic viral infection that can affect the production of red and white blood cells in the bone marrow. In the case of a compromised immune system, treatment with antiviral drugs is necessary to prevent a serious infection.
In most people, viral infection causes only minor symptoms; therefore, treatment of infectious rash is usually limited to pain management with over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen. Plenty of fluids and rest are also recommended, and antihistamine medications can be used to relieve itchy skin.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
