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Parvo Virus Development in Humans

For most people, parvo brings to mind the canine virus that is hard to detect and, if untreated, can quickly kill a dog. The common misconception is that the human illness is caught from animals but this is incorrect. Humans cannot catch the disease from animals nor can animals catch the disease from humans.

  1. Definition

    • The human parvo virus is also known as “fifth disease.” The disease is caused by the human parvo virus B19.

    Symptoms

    • The virus is most common among children and can be characterized by redness in the face and a red rash on the trunk and limbs. Sometimes the rash will itch. Along with the rash, a low-grade fever presents itself. Most children will seem lethargic and may have cold-like symptoms before the rash shows. The rash will subside within seven to 10 days. Adults that contract the disease may or may not get a rash. They may instead experience joint pain and swelling that subsides in about one to two weeks.

    Transmission

    • The human parvo virus is found on respiratory secretions such as saliva or mucus and it can be spread through contact of these fluids. The virus is very contagious in the early stages before the rash presents itself and is usually no longer contagious once the rash appears. It is estimated that approximately 50 percent of adults have contracted the disease as children and cannot get it again. Only about 20 percent of the adults that are infected by the parvo virus become ill.

    Recovery and Prevention

    • The human parvo virus is a mild illness for those who are healthy. The symptoms of the virus, fever and pain, can be treated as part of the recovery process. The virus becomes a serious threat when contracted by individuals with sickle-cell anemia or chronic anemia, as well as organ transplant recipients or those with HIV. Individuals with any of these illnesses that contract the human parvo virus may need to be hospitalized and may possibly need a blood transfusion. Once the rash appears, it is then no longer necessary to isolate the patient. Frequent hand washing is the best defense against the virus.

    Pregnant Women and Fifth Disease

    • Fifth disease is not usually a great threat to a pregnant woman or her child. There has never been a link between the disease and mental retardation or any other birth defect. The Centers for Disease Control estimate that about 5 percent of pregnant women that contract B19 miscarry. Studies show that the miscarriage is due to severe anemia of the unborn child.

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