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Parvovirus Essay

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A parvovirus infection, also called fifth disease, is an illness caused by a virus. If you develop this illness when you are pregnant, there is a small chance that the virus may pass to your unborn baby and cause serious problems. Most pregnant women who get fifth disease have only a mild illness from it, and their babies do not have any problems caused by the infection. However, in a few cases, the baby of a woman infected with parvovirus may develop problems, including a low number of red blood cells (anemia). This usually happens during the first half of the pregnancy. Rarely, the woman will have a miscarriage.

CAUSES
Parvovirus infection is caused by a virus. The illness is contagious and spreads to others by the droplets sprayed in the …show more content…

• Sore throat.
• Runny nose.
• Cough.
• Shortness of breath.
• Low-grade fever.
• Upset stomach.
Several days into the illness, you may develop:
• A bright red rash on both cheeks. This is sometimes called a slapped cheek rash.
• A pink, lacy rash on the body, arms, and legs. This rash may come and go for up to 5 weeks. It may get brighter after you take a warm bath, exercise, or are out in the sun.
• Stiffness and pain in the joints. Usually, the joints in the hands, wrists, and ankles are the ones affected. This symptom may also last for weeks, especially in adults.

DIAGNOSIS
A parvovirus infection is diagnosed with a blood test. Pregnant women who develop parvovirus may need blood tests or ultrasound exams to monitor how the infection is affecting the developing baby.

TREATMENT
Usually, no treatment is necessary if you are in good health. Your health care provider may suggest that you take over-the-counter medicine for your symptoms.
People with severe anemia may require a blood transfusion. A person with an immune disorder may need to receive injections of antibodies (immune globulin).
If your unborn baby develops severe anemia, the baby can receive a blood transfusion before being born (in utero), or you may be given immune globulin or antiviral medicines to combat the

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