Parvo Virus Description

Parvo virus is a viral infection that is commonly found in children. Sometimes called fifth disease, parvo virus typically causes minor symptoms and is does not usually pose a serious threat.

Spread

• Pavro virus is spread through contact with respiratory droplets in the air or contact with the skin of a person with the virus.

Symptoms

• In children, parvo virus initially causes a sore throat, low-grade fever, upset stomach, headache, fatigue and itching for five to 10 days followed by a bright red skin rash on the cheeks, and then the body. In adults, parvo virus typically only causes joint pain, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Features

• A person with parvo virus is only contagious until the rash develops. Unfortunately, the condition is not usually recognizable without the rash, meaning a diagnosis often does not occur until an infected person is no longer contagious.

Treatment

• Parvo virus usually does not require medication or any other treatment beyond rest and plenty of fluids, according to the Mayo Clinic. If your child's fever climbs to more than 102 degrees Fahrenheit, you can use acetaminophen to lower her temperature.

Risks

• Parvo virus in pregnant women during the first half of pregnancy can lead to miscarriages. People with sickle cell anemia or a weakened immune system, from a disease like leukemia or medical treatment like chemotherapy, may require hospitalization if they develop parvo virus, cautions the Mayo Clinic.