Parvovirus is the virus that causes fifth disease in young children

Apart from bacteria and fungi, viruses are also a source of various diseases. The number is very large and can be found anywhere, one of which is parvovirus. If your body is exposed to this virus, what disease will it cause? Find out the answer below.

What is parvovirus?

Parvovirus is a virus that can affect pets as well as humans. There are many types. The type of virus that can only affect humans is parvovirus b19, while parvovirus canine type 2 specifically attacks domestic animals.

This virus is very contagious. However, parvovirus in animals will not be contagious and cause disease in humans. Vice versa.

How is it transmitted?

Just like the influenza virus, parvovirus B19 is also transmitted through the air or by droplets of saliva.

When the virus enters the body, it can spread through the blood and cause infection. If pregnant women are exposed to this virus, the mother can transmit the virus to the baby in her womb.

People tend to be exposed to this virus during the transition season, from the rainy season to the dry season. Compared to adults, this virus is more common in children.

What happens when the body is exposed to parvovirus?

Parvovirus B19 infection is the fifth most common cause of fifth disease in children. Fifth disease (erythema infectiosum) is a disease that causes a characteristic symptom of a wide red rash on the skin of the cheeks like they have been slapped. Children who are infected with this virus will usually experience fever, abdominal pain, headache, and runny nose as early signs.

Then, the rash will appear a few days later. The rash doesn't just appear on the cheeks, it can also spread around the arms, thighs, buttocks, and soles of the feet. The rash can appear and disappear for about three weeks. But it could be more than that, if the child spends too much time in the sun.

Meanwhile, if an adult is infected with pavovirus B19, the rash on the cheeks is less likely to occur. The most prominent symptom is joint pain with swelling. Joint pain most commonly occurs in the hand, wrist, knee, or ankle.

People with weak immune systems and fetuses infected with pavovirus can cause anemia. Meanwhile, if people with anemia are infected with this virus, serious complications can occur because the production of red blood cells decreases.