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Complications
By Mayo Clinic staffParvovirus infection can cause serious complications for people who:
- Are pregnant
- Have sickle cell anemia
- Have compromised immune systems
Parvovirus infection in pregnancy
Parvovirus infection during pregnancy sometimes affects red blood cells in the fetus, causing a severe anemia that could lead to miscarriage or stillbirth. Fetal risk appears greatest during the first half of the pregnancy. Treatment options include a blood transfusion directly to your fetus or giving you medications that pass through the placenta to your fetus.
Parvovirus infection in people with anemia
Anemia is a condition in which red blood cells, which carry oxygen to all the parts of your body, are used up faster than your bone marrow can replace them. Parvovirus infection in people with anemia may stop the production of red blood cells and cause an anemia crisis. People with sickle cell anemia are at particular risk.
Parvovirus in people with weakened immune systems
Parvovirus infection can also trigger severe anemia in people who have compromised immune systems, which may result from:
- AIDS
- Cancer treatments
- Anti-rejection drugs used after organ transplants
- Fifth disease. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2010. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/166343766-3/906090993/2088/245.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05609-0..00015-0--s0880_5038. Accessed Oct. 22, 2009.
- Young NS. B19 parvovirus. In: Goldman L. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/166343766-3/906090993/1492/1323.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2805-5..50399-2_16554. Accessed Oct. 22, 2009.
- Jordan JA. Clinical manifestations and pathogenesis of human parvovirus B19 infection. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 22, 2009.
- Parvovirus B19 infection and erythema infectiosum. In: Cohen J, et al. Cohen & Powderly: Infectious Diseases. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2004. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/166343766-3/906090993/1209/25.html#4-u1.0-B0-323-02407-6..50010-6--cesec37_250. Accessed Oct. 22, 2009.
- Riley LE, et al. Parvovirus B19 infection during pregnancy. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 22, 2009.
- Jordan JA. Treatment and prevention of parvovirus B19 infection. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 22, 2009.
- Reye's syndrome information page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/reyes_syndrome/reyes_syndrome.htm. Accessed Oct. 22, 2009.
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