Parvovirus (5th Disesase) ?

SmilingBluEyes · Oct 13, 2004

Talk to your OB right away. That receptionist is VERY inappropriate telling you ANYTHING at all. She is NOT qualified to interpret such test results and probably raised your concerns UNNECESSARILY!!! I would report this to your doctor next at the earliest opportunity. And then---- Please, please get an appt. with your health care provider ASAP (or at least a phone consult) to interpret these test results and what they mean to your pregnancy. Try not to worry in the meantime. Titers may be up, meaning you MAY have been exposed to Fifth Disease, but it may mean little or nothing at all in your case. (((HUGS))) and hang in there.

txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN · Oct 13, 2004

My children get 5th's every year, it is a childhood disease that is easily spread and causes a weird rash. This year one of my children had it so bad we thought she had lupus and her parvo titer was off the charts. It is harmless in children and adults, however I remember something about pregnancy and contact with 5th's.I am about 99% sure if your titers are high your are carrying the disease, not past exposure but current... I would contact my OB doc ASAP!!! Good luck:)

What does it mean when your levels for Parvovirus are high?
Hi! I'm 11 weeks pregnant and I called my dr.'s office today to find out my different immunity levels before starting my pediatrics rotations and the woman on the phone said that my parvovirus (5th disease) was elevated. When I asked her what that meant, she just said I don't know...but it's high. First of all, why would they let the receptionist give out test results if they can't explain to you what they mean? This should be the nurse's job!!! At any rate, she said she'd ask the dr. and get back to me...yeah, right...I hope at least before tomorrow!!! When I looked this up in my Maternal-Child nursing book, it said that the babies of pregnant women who are exposed to the virus are at risk for fetal death due to the RBC's and such. Now, I don't know if high levels on this test just mean that I've been exposed at one time in my life and now I'm immune or if I've recently been exposed and my baby's at risk.
Does anyone here know anything about this? I would appreciate your help. Thanks!
~Bean

Nurse_Educator · Oct 13, 2004

Hi,

This information is from the CDC Fact Sheet on Parvovirus and Pregnancy:

Usually, there is no serious complication for a pregnant woman or her baby because of exposure to a person with fifth disease. About 50% of women are already immune to parvovirus B19, and these women and their babies are protected from infection and illness. Even if a woman is susceptible and gets infected with parvovirus B19, she usually experiences only a mild illness. Likewise, her unborn baby usually does not have any problems attributable to parvovirus B19 infection.

Sometimes, however, parvovirus B19 infection will cause the unborn baby to have severe anemia and the woman may have a miscarriage. This occurs in less than 5% of all pregnant women who are infected with parvovirus B19 and occurs more commonly during the first half of pregnancy. There is no evidence that parvovirus B19 infection causes birth defects or mental retardation.

A blood test for parvovirus B19 may show 1) that you are immune to parvovirus B19 and have no sign of recent infection, 2) that you are not immune and have not yet been infected, or 3) that you have had a recent infection. If you are immune, then you have nothing further to be concerned about. If you are not immune and not yet infected, then you may wish to avoid further exposure during your pregnancy. If you have had a recent infection, you should discuss with your physician what to do to monitor your pregnancy.

If I'm infected, what do I need to do about my pregnancy?

There is no universally recommended approach to monitor a pregnant woman who has a documented parvovirus B19 infection. Some physicians treat a parvovirus B19 infection in a pregnant woman as a low-risk condition and continue to provide routine prenatal care. Other physicians may increase the frequency of doctor visits and perform blood tests and ultrasound examinations to monitor the health of the unborn baby. The benefit of these tests in this situation, however, is not clear. If the unborn baby appears to be ill, there are special diagnostic and treatment options available, and your obstetrician will discuss these options with you and their potential benefits and risks.

I hope this helps!!!

Marilyn

SmilingBluEyes · Oct 13, 2004

Let me offer a disclaimer:

Any information received here is NOT intended to replace that of your MD/ CNM or NP. Please consult these people as they know your history and have the most current facts regarding special conditions in pregnancy!

Good luck and let us know how you are!

kids · Oct 15, 2004

My children get 5th's every year, it is a childhood disease that is easily spread and causes a weird rash. This year one of my children had it so bad we thought she had lupus and her parvo titer was off the charts. It is harmless in children and adults, however I remember something about pregnancy and contact with 5th's. I am about 99% sure if your titers are high your are carrying the disease, not past exposure but current... I would contact my OB doc ASAP!!! Good luck:)

Parvo is a fairly new illness having been discovered in the 70s. My children born between 1980 & 1984 have never had it yet it is now considered a "common" childhood infection. Current research indicates a connection between adult infection and some autoimmune disorders including Lupus (a very good friend of mine was just diagnosed with chronic Parvo, I've been researching for her).

I really hope the original poster is dilligent in following up on her lab work with both her ob and her primary care doc.