Infection: Human Parovirus B19

Question 1

What does it cause?

Answer 1

Erythema infectiosum or fifth disease

Question 2

What is it also referred to as?

Answer 2

Slapped cheek syndrome

Question 3

When are outbreaks common?

Answer 3

Spring

Question 4

How is it transmitted?

Answer 4

Respiratory secretions
Vertical transmission
Transfusion of infected blood products

Question 5

What does the virus infect?

Answer 5

Erythroblastoid red cell precursors in bone marrow

Question 6

It can cause a range of syndromes …

Answer 6

Asymptomatic infection
Erythema infectiosum
Aplastic crisis
Fetal disease

Question 7

Describe erythema infectiosum

Answer 7

Fever, malaise, headache, myalgia
Followed by characteristic rash on face a week later
Progressing to maculopapular, lace like rash on trunk and limbs

Complications rare in children

Question 8

What can fetal disease cause?

Answer 8

Fetal hydrops and death due to severe anaemia, although the majority will recover

Question 9

Describe the aplastic crisis that can occur

Answer 9

It occurs in children with chronic haemolytic anaemias, where there is increased rate of red cell turnover e.g sickle cell disease or thalassaemia and in immunocompromised children who are unable to produce an antibody response to neutralise the infectious agent