Parvo B19
Pregnancy And The Parvo Virus B19
The Human Parvo Virus B19 is present in almost every place. One of the diseases it produces is called the 'Fifth disease", a common infection experienced during childhood or adolescence. Thus, the National Center for Infectious Diseases has estimated that approximately 50% of all adults have experienced the fifth disease. After recovering from the disease, a person will most likely have developed immunity against further attacks of the B19 parvovirus.
A woman who is pregnant can be attacked by the B19 parvovirus. This occurrence is usually not life-threatening since many pregnant women are already immune to the virus. This immunity will also protect the unborn child. But sometimes, the pregnant woman will be easily fatigued and have mucous discharges from her nose. Aside from this, there are no serious human parvo virus symptoms that could endanger the lives of both mother and child. The B19 was never linked to mental retardation or any birth defects.
But there are a few cases of pregnant women who, after being infected by the B19 parvovirus, suffered miscarriage in the first half of pregnancy. The cause of the miscarriage is the severe anemia that happens to the unborn baby. The National Center for Infectious Diseases estimated these few cases to be about 5% of all B19-infected pregnant women.
If a pregnant woman has been known to be exposed to the B19 parvovirus, she should immediately inform her personal doctor about it. Usually, the physician will perform blood tests in order to know the medical situation of the pregnant woman with regards to the B19 parvovirus infection. The blood test will reveal one of the following:
The pregnant woman is already immune to the B19 parvovirus and her body is not suffering any infection - This means that she has nothing to worry about the presence of the virus. Her immune system can easily handle the B19 parvovirus.
The pregnant woman had a recent infection, most probably within the last three months - This means that the pregnancy must be closely monitored. There are no specific steps established to monitor a pregnant woman who recently had a B19 parvovirus infection, but the doctor can perform ultrasound examinations and more blood tests to make sure that the unborn baby is developing as he/she should be.
The pregnant woman has no B19 parvovirus infection but she has no immunity against it - This means that the woman must avoid exposure to the B19 parvovirus. There is no vaccine yet against the B19 infection.
If the blood results revealed that the pregnant woman has no immunity against the B19 parvovirus infection, and she believes that she has been exposed to this virus, the doctor cannot provide medications to stop the infection. All the doctor and the pregnant woman can do is to weather the infection, which could last for one to two weeks. The unborn baby will be frequently examined for any signs of anemia.
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Can Human Parvo (B19) bring on Stills disease?
My mother had Human Parvo (B19) 2 yrs ago. That was cleared up, but now she is having same symptoms and the doctor thinks that it’s Stills Disease. Does anyone know much about this? can Parvo bring on Stills disease?
has anyone ever had “human parvo virus B-19″ and how ill was you with it?
i ended up catching human parvo virus B19 as my immune system is very weak as i have 2 blood conditions and have a complicated medical history. i was diagnosed by my dr that i had parvo virus B19. i was admitted into hospital twice because of it. i had raging pain from head to toe,pains in all muscles and in my kidneys,and could barely stand.. i had scans&x-ray’s on my chest,stomache,kidney scan and the usual blood and pee sample. i had to have another blood test last week,and my gp informed me i am through the worst of it. was just wondering has anyone else out there had this horrid virus,and how long did it take till you felt better. i was on 2 lots of 500mg a day antibiotics to be taken 3 times a day,anti sickness tablets and a very strong painkiller called acupan. its left me still feeling very weak and so very tired. how much longer do theses symptoms carry on for? , as i finnished all my anitbiotics saturday. kind genuine answers please. thanks
I have children with “parvo virus-maybe b19. They have rashes. what iremember from “parvo” is intestinal blee?
I had dogs in the 80′s that couldn’t be saved- how do you think I feel; about my children when the same prognosis occurs-
I weant answers but in the fram,e of mind- anxiety worry frustration ANGER etc – I need answers – this could have similarities to loads of “life threatening diseases- how can I be sure?
Yes, I was diagnosed with this over a year ago by my GP. I was surprised as I thought I had a strong immune system and am generally healthy (although I do smoke). I’m male and in my late 30s. I had a rash that moved down my body but no other symptoms really. Then I developed joint pain and this has stayed with me since then. Sometimes it’s bad and other times just a dull ache or normality. I thought it would have gone altogether by now.
It sounds like you’ve had a bad time of it. All the info on the web seems to imply that it’s a bit of a nuisance for a little while, but I think there are people who have severe and/or lasting symtoms. I’m hoping my aching fingers, wrists and ankles (arthritic-type pain) heal soon. Cheers.
Parvovirus B19 is different in humans, from the parvovirus animals get vaccinated against. They are not the same thing at all.
Parvovirus b19 is a very common viral infection in children, and manifests with ‘slapped cheeks.’ Fevers and general achiness will all clear up in a few days. When exposed to sun, their rash will get worse. There is NO association with intestinal bleeding; if there is any blood in their poop, this is not from teh Parvovirus but something else and I’d bring them back to the doctor.
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/revb/respiratory/parvo_b19.htm
Human Parvo B19 how long does it last? How sick it can make you?
Does anyone know anything about the human Parvo B19 Virus and vasculitis rash?
Hi,
I was diagnosed with FifthsDisease aka “Parvo” or “Slap Cheek” back in May 2008. I was very ill with it, and when the fever began to subside I got a rash on my calves. Then the rash went away, but returned in June and has been appearing on and off on my legs and arms ever since.
It seems that the rash is worse after being exposed to heat and sun light. I read that this can happen, and a doctor confirmed this for me. I have seen several different doctors, and the latest one says I could wait it out, as the rash might go away on it’s own, but believes I should take 2-3 weeks of steroids. The only thing is I am afraid of the side effects of taking steroids. Has anyone experienced this problem with Parvo and vasculitis complications or known someone who has? If so, did you/they wait it out or take a course of steroids? I am in my teens. Thank you for any help.
In May when I was ill, it was confirmed I had Parvo through blood tests.
hmm — I’ve seen several good cases of Parvo infection – complete with dense red lacy rash . The rash in each case took a few weeks to go away, but to my knowledge never came back.
The rash is well known to be an immune phenomenon – it is NOT an indication of active viral replication, and that’s why the rash appears just as the fever is going away – it’s a sign that you’ve had an immunologic response to the germ.
Because it is an immune phenomenon, it does not surprise me that it could come back and wax and wane. I presume that you had serum parvovirus IgM antbodies confirmed in May, so that you know the diagnosis was correct? Because when something unusual occurs, you always want to question the original diagnosis .
For example — you could have “Adult onset still’s disease” and have a somewhat similar rash, joint aches and fever. So please confirm that you had serologic proof of parvo infection. If this is the case , then you dhould ignore the rash unless it causes pain or some other troubling symptom. If the rash doesn’t bother you, then you do not need to take a potentially dangerous medication to make it go away. You’ll definitely have to trust your Rheumatologist about this one though – he would have more experience than an Infectious Disease doc would — they are the experts in this one.
It’s commonly called “Fifth Disease”
Fifth disease is a mild rash illness that occurs most commonly in children. The ill child typically has a “slapped-cheek” rash on the face and a lacy red rash on the trunk and limbs. 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 not immune can be infected with parvovirus B19 and either have no symptoms or develop the typical rash of fifth disease, joint pain or swelling, or both. Usually, joints on both sides of the body are affected. The joints most frequently affected are the hands, wrists, and knees. The joint pain and swelling usually resolve in a week or two, but they may last several months. About 50% of adults, however, have been previously infected with parvovirus B19, have developed immunity to the virus, and cannot get fifth disease.
If you want more info click on this site: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/revb/respiratory/parvo_b19.htm