Definition:
Commonly called as the fifth of a group of once-common childhood diseases with small rashes where the other four are measles, rubella, scarlet fever and Dukes' disease, erythema infectiosum is what doctors refer today as parvovirus infection. It is still a common but mild infection in children because it generally requires little treatment. Some people often call it a slapped-cheek disease because of the face rash that develops resembling slap marks, but for some pregnant women, it can lead to serious health problems for the fetus.
Treatment:
Sufficient parvovirus treatment generally consists of self-care steps at home for non-complicated parvovirus infection because the rash itself does not need treatment.
You may need to be hospitalized and receive blood transfusions of you have severe anemia or you may receive antibodies (via immune globulin) if you have a weakened immune system to treat the infection.
Your doctor may monitor possible effects on your baby if you're pregnant and develop parvovirus infection. Medications and blood transfusions may serve as treatments if your baby has anemia, edema or congestive heart failure.
Symptoms and Signs:
The signs and symptoms of parvovirus infection include slight fever, itching, sore throat, headache, upset stomach and fatigue among children during the early face of the infection. They may also feel well during the early phase but some may develop mild, cold-like signs early in the illness.
A distinctive bright red facial rash usually appears on both cheeks several days later and eventually, the rash may extend to the trunk, thighs, arms and buttocks, where the rash has a pink, lacy, slightly raised appearance.
Adults may experience joint soreness (arthralgia) as a symptom of parvovirus infection and may last from days to weeks, affecting their wrists, hands, knees and ankles.
Causes:
B19, a human parvovirus causes the infection. This is not similar as the parvovirus seen in cats and dogs, so you can't get the infection from the pets.
Just like cold, parvovirus spreads from person to person, often through hand-to-hand contact and respiratory secretions. Before the rash appears, the illness is contagious within a week and once the rash appears, the person with the illness is no longer considered contagious but need not be isolated.
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