Parvovirus Health Dictionary

A viral infection that causes a rash and joint inflammation. Many children have no symptoms, but some have a bright red rash on the cheeks, a mild fever, and sometimes mild joint inflammation. Symptoms are more severe in adults; they include a rash on the palms and soles of the feet and severe inflammation in the knee, wrist, and hand joints. A diagnosis is made from the symptoms and a blood test. The infection usually clears up within 2 weeks without treatment.

n. any member of a genus of small DNA-containing viruses. Human parvovirus B19 (now known as erythrovirus) is the only member to cause disease in humans. It destroys red blood cells and is responsible for severe anaemia in patients with sickle-cell disease. Infection during pregnancy may adversely affect the fetus, resulting in *hydrops fetalis. The virus is also the causative agent of the childhood infection *erythema infectiosum.