| Disease/Syndrome |
Parvovirus B19 infection |
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| Category |
Infection, Occupational |
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| Acute/Chronic |
Acute-Moderate |
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| Synonyms |
Erythema infectiosum; Fifth disease |
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| Biomedical References |
Search PubMed |
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| Comments |
FINDINGS: Erythema infectiosum (EI) is a common rash in children with "slapped cheeks" of the face and a fine, lacy rash of the trunk. The rash may last for 1-3 weeks, and the disease is typically mild and without fever. The virus replicates in red blood cell precursors, and complications of the disease are seen in patients with hemolytic anemia, immunosuppression, or pregnancy. B19 parvovirus infections cause aplastic crises in patients with sickle cell disease, thalassemia, hereditary spherocytosis, and other hemolytic diseases. [CCDM, p. 196-9; ID, p. 1959-66] Infections are most common in the spring months, and a low-grade fever is typical. Infected adults may experience mild joint pain and swelling that persists for weeks or months. [Merck Manual, p. 2340] The syndrome of adult arthritis usually resolves spontaneously; some patients develop a rash that affects the palms and soles. Another syndrome sometime seen is transient pancytopenia. [Lexi-ID, p. 243] The incidence of EI peaks in children ages 4-12. Adults are more likely than children to have prodromal symptoms of runny nose, sore throat, myalgia, headache, nausea, and diarrhea. [5MCC] EPIDEMIOLOGY: Transmission by transfusion has been reported. [CCDM] About 50% of adults are seropositive. Outbreaks occur in families and schools. [Lexi-ID, p. 242] PREVENTION: "Personnel have acquired infection while working in laboratories or during the care of patients with B19-associated sickle-cell aplastic crises. . . . Persons with erythema infectiosum are infectious before the appearance of the rash, those with infection and aplastic crises for as long as 7 days after onset of illness, and persons with chronic infection for years. . . . Because of the serious nature of the consequences for the fetus, female personnel of childbearing age need to be counseled regarding the risk of transmission of B19 and appropriate infection control precautions." [Guidelines for Infection Control in Health Care Personnel. CDC. 1998] |
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| Latency/Incubation |
4 days to 3 weeks |
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| Diagnostic |
Clinical; IgM antibodies; Paired sera; PCR is now commercially available. Healthy children with erythema infectiosum are usually PCR negative. Giant pronormoblasts in bone marrow aspirants or biopsy; [Lexi-ID, p. 244] |
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| ICD-9 Code |
057.0 |
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| Reference Link |
CDC - Parvovirus |
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| Related Information in Haz-Map |
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| Symptoms/Findings |
Symptoms/Findings associated with this disease:
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| Job Tasks |
High risk job tasks associated with this disease:
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