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StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-.

StatPearls [Internet].

Show detailsTreasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-.Search term Parvovirus B19 Infection

Angela Macri; Venkata Sushma Chamarthi.

Author Information and Affiliations

Authors

Angela Macri1; Venkata Sushma Chamarthi2.

Affiliations

1 Sampson Regional Medical Center2 Valley Children's Healthcare

Last Update: November 30, 2025.

Continuing Education Activity

Parvovirus B19 infection is a common viral illness that affects individuals of all ages. However, its clinical manifestations vary widely depending on the patient's age, immune status, and underlying hematologic conditions. This course reviews parvovirus B19, most commonly recognized as the cause of Fifth disease (erythema infectiosum) in children, which presents with the characteristic "slapped cheek" rash and can lead to serious complications in vulnerable populations. In patients with chronic hemolytic anemias such as sickle cell disease or hereditary spherocytosis, the virus can precipitate life-threatening aplastic crises by temporarily halting red blood cell production. This course also discusses pregnant women infected with parvovirus B19 who face the risk of hydrops fetalis, which can result in fetal loss or severe fetal anemia requiring intrauterine transfusion, as well as persistent infections in immunocompromised patients, polyarthropathy, and the distinctive papular-purpuric gloves and socks syndrome.

This activity explores the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and diverse clinical presentations of parvovirus B19 infection, emphasizing recognition of at-risk populations and appropriate diagnostic approaches. Participants will gain an in-depth understanding of management strategies across various patient populations, including supportive care for uncomplicated cases and targeted interventions for high-risk groups. This activity for healthcare professionals is designed to enhance the learner's competence in identifying the spectrum of parvovirus B19-related disease, performing the recommended evaluation, and implementing an appropriate interprofessional approach to manage this condition, thereby significantly improving patient outcomes across all clinical scenarios.

Objectives:

• Identify high-risk populations who require interventions when parvovirus B19 infection is suspected.
• Differentiate the clinical presentations of parvovirus B19 infection across various patient populations, including Fifth disease in children, aplastic crisis in patients with hemolytic anemias, hydrops fetalis in pregnancy, and chronic infection in immunocompromised hosts.
• Implement appropriate management strategies for parvovirus B19 infection based on patient risk factors.
• Collaborate with interprofessional team members to coordinate timely management for patients with parvovirus B19 infection to improve outcomes and reduce complications.

Access free multiple choice questions on this topic.

Introduction

Parvovirus B19 is a nonenveloped, icosahedral virus containing a single-stranded, linear DNA genome measuring approximately 5.6 kilobases. This virus exhibits strict human tropism and does not infect other animal species. Parvovirus B19 causes fifth disease, also known as erythema infectiosum or "slapped cheek" syndrome, which predominantly occurs in young children aged 5 to 15 years but can also occur in adults, with distinct clinical presentations. Beyond the characteristic exanthem, the virus can cause serious complications, including aplastic crisis in patients with underlying hemolytic anemias, hydrops fetalis in pregnant women following vertical transmission, symmetric polyarthropathy affecting small joints, and papular-purpuric gloves and socks syndrome (PPGSS). Transmission of the virus occurs primarily through respiratory secretions during close contact, although parenteral transmission through blood products and vertical transmission from mother to fetus have been well documented. The virus shows seasonal variation, with peak incidence in late winter and spring. If a woman becomes pregnant and is infected with parvovirus B19 during the first or second trimester, the virus can cross the placenta and cause severe complications in the fetus.[1][2][3][4]

Etiology

Parvovirus B19 is a nonenveloped, icosahedral virus that contains single-stranded linear DNA. This pathogen belongs to the family Parvoviridae and genus Erythroparvovirus. The viral genome encodes nonstructural proteins (NS1), which are essential for viral replication, and structural proteins (VP1 and VP2), which form the viral capsid. The virus infects humans specifically because it requires the P antigen (globoside) as a cellular receptor, which is expressed on erythroid progenitor cells, megakaryocytes, endothelial cells, and placental tissue. This strict human tropism means the infection cannot be acquired from animals or transmitted to animal species. The virus lacks the enzymatic machinery for independent replication and therefore requires actively dividing host cells, explaining its predilection for rapidly dividing erythroid progenitor cells in the bone marrow.

Epidemiology

Parvovirus B19 infection occurs worldwide and affects people of all races and ethnicities. The virus is most common in school-aged children, with peak incidence occurring between 5 and 15 years of age. Seroprevalence studies demonstrate that the prevalence of parvovirus B19 antibodies in developed countries ranges from 2% to 10% in children younger than 5 years, increases to approximately 50% to 60% in adults older than 20, and reaches 85% or more in individuals 70 years and older. The infection shows clear seasonal patterns, with more cases in late winter, spring, and early summer. Mini-outbreaks and epidemics of parvovirus B19 infection occur cyclically approximately every 3 to 4 years in temperate climates.

Studies from Central Europe reported substantial increases in circulation of parvovirus B19 after the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, based on up to 9 months of surveillance data collected between 2012 and 2024. Their findings were consistent with other international reports and were likely attributable to an "immunity debt" that accumulated due to pandemic-related public health measures, including social distancing, mask wearing, and school closures that reduced exposure to common childhood infections. The United States demonstrated similar trends, although incidence remained approximately 6-fold lower than that observed in central Europe during the same time period.[5]

Pathophysiology

Parvovirus B19 is a nonenveloped virus that initially binds to host cell receptors, specifically the P antigen (globoside), present on cells in the respiratory tract and subsequently enters the cell through receptor-mediated endocytosis. Following cellular entry, the virus translocates its single-stranded DNA genome to the host cell nucleus, where DNA replication and transcription occur utilizing the host cell's replication machinery. Viral DNA replication and assembly of mature virions occur exclusively within the nucleus of infected cells. Following viral maturation, infected cells undergo lysis and release mature virions into the bloodstream, initiating viremia.

Viremia typically occurs 5 to 10 days postinoculation and initiates the prodromal phase of symptoms, including fever, malaise, myalgias, and headache. The IgM antibody response appears during the viremic period, which is approximately 8 to 10 days postinoculation. During the viremic period, reticulocytopenia occurs and persists for 7 to 10 days due to viral tropism for erythroid precursor cells in the bone marrow. Approximately 1 week after the appearance of IgM antibody, IgG antibody appears, coinciding temporally with the onset of the characteristic rash and arthralgia in affected individuals. The immune complex formation contributes to these later manifestations. Parvovirus B19 demonstrates a specific tropism for bone marrow tissue and preferentially replicates in erythroid progenitor cells, leading to a transient arrest of erythropoiesis. The P antigen serves as the primary cellular receptor for parvovirus B19 and is highly expressed on erythroid progenitor cells, accounting for the hematologic manifestations characteristic of erythema infectiosum in susceptible individuals. Immunocompetent individuals are no longer infectious once they develop symptoms such as arthralgia or rash, whereas immunocompromised individuals who do not mount an antibody response may remain infectious.[6]

Histopathology

Histopathology is generally neither useful nor necessary for diagnosing parvovirus B19 infection in most clinical scenarios. However, in cases of PPGSS, a skin biopsy demonstrates a superficial and deep perivascular lymphocytic dermal infiltrate with extravasated erythrocytes. Additional findings may include vacuolar interface changes and occasional dyskeratotic keratinocytes. In bone marrow specimens obtained from patients with aplastic crisis, characteristic giant pronormoblasts with eosinophilic intranuclear inclusions may be visualized, representing infected erythroid precursor cells.

History and Physical

The clinical presentation of parvovirus infections varies widely, ranging from mild or asymptomatic cases to severe disease. The severity often depends on factors, eg, the patient’s age and hematological status. Symptoms may range from flu-like illness to characteristic manifestations that appear later in the course of infection, and some of these manifestations, particularly in parvovirus infection, may result from immune complex formation.

Erythema Infectiosum (Fifth Disease)

The prodrome of symptoms begins during the viremic phase, when patients experience nonspecific constitutional symptoms such as headache, myalgias, low-grade fever, and general malaise. The characteristic exanthem develops approximately 1 to 1.5 weeks after initial exposure, typically 16 to 17 days later. Notably, clinicians should recognize that patients are not contagious once the characteristic eruption occurs, as viral shedding has ceased and IgG antibodies have developed.

Furthermore, at the time of rash development, patients will demonstrate the classic "slapped cheek" appearance, characterized by bright erythema of the malar eminences bilaterally, with circumoral pallor, sparing the central facial structures, including the nose and mouth. This facial finding represents the most recognizable feature of fifth disease and is most prominent in children. Adult patients may not develop the characteristic facial rash but instead present with other manifestations.

As the rash resolves, a maculopapular eruption develops, exhibiting a distinctive "lacy" or reticular pattern. This rash favors the extremities, particularly the extensor surfaces of the arms and legs, but occurs on the trunk to a lesser degree. The exanthem can persist anywhere from 1 to 3 weeks and characteristically waxes and wanes in intensity. The rash tends to worsen when exposed to heat, sunlight, exercise, emotional stress, or bathing.

Polyarthralgia or Polyarthritis

Arthralgia or arthritis affecting small joints may be a prominent feature, predominantly involving the hands, wrists, feet, ankles, and knees. However, articular involvement is uncommon in pediatric populations, occurring in approximately 10% of infected children. Joint symptoms are prevalent in adult women, affecting up to 60% to 80% of cases. The joint manifestations are secondary to immune-complex deposition.[7][8][9][10][11] Additionally, arthritis may occur without the skin findings in some adult patients, and joint symptoms usually persist for 1 to 3 weeks, though chronic arthropathy has been reported in rare cases.

Aplastic Crisis

As seen in the pathogenesis, parvovirus destroys erythroid progenitor cells, leading to acute erythroblastopenia. This transient hematopoietic status represents a serious complication in individuals with preexisting conditions associated with reduced red blood cell production, eg, iron deficiency anemia, or with increased red cell turnover, such as chronic hemolytic anemias (eg, sickle cell disease, thalassemia, hereditary spherocytosis), and enzyme deficiencies like pyruvate kinase or glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. Additional at-risk populations include recipients of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell or solid organ transplants, as well as patients with HIV infection or other immunocompromised states. An aplastic crisis typically presents with pallor and fatigue secondary to severe anemia, which in some cases may progress to congestive heart failure. Laboratory findings characteristically show reticulocytopenia.

 Parvovirus Infection in Pregnancy and Fetal Human Parvoviral Infection

Vertical transmission of parvovirus B19 can occur when a pregnant woman becomes infected, as the virus can cross the placental barrier and infect the developing fetus. The risk of transmission is highest when maternal infection occurs before 20 weeks of gestation, particularly during the first and second trimesters. The likelihood of spontaneous abortion is also most significant during this period. After 20 weeks of gestation, the virus preferentially targets fetal erythroid precursors in the liver and bone marrow, leading to severe fetal anemia. This anemia can progress to high-output cardiac failure, resulting in hydrops fetalis and, in some cases, fetal death. Hydrops fetalis is defined as the abnormal accumulation of fluid in 2 or more fetal compartments, eg, ascites, pleural effusion, pericardial effusion, or generalized skin edema (anasarca), and it most commonly develops during the second trimester.

Despite these potential complications, patients should be reassured that the overall risk of fetal loss due to parvovirus B19 infection in pregnancy remains relatively low—approximately 2% to 6%. The virus is not routinely included in preconception or standard antenatal screening panels. Fortunately, the majority of infants born to mothers infected with parvovirus B19 during pregnancy are asymptomatic, born at term, and without long-term sequelae.

Papular Purpuric Gloves and Socks Syndrome

In adults, parvovirus infection may cause a rash affecting the extremities, sometimes presenting as “gloves and socks” syndrome with papular-purpuric lesions. Parvovirus infection is also associated with Gianotti-Crosti syndrome, a condition characterized by itchy, papulovesicular acrodermatitis. Some case reports have documented involvement of intertriginous areas, including the axillae and groin. Unlike erythema infectiosum, patients with PPGSS remain contagious when the rash appears, as this occurs during the viremic phase, which can be confirmed by detecting parvoviral DNA in polymerase chain reaction (PCR) specimens from cutaneous biopsies. Erosions, petechiae, and enanthem may occur in the oral cavity, involving the hard and soft palate, pharynx, and tongue.

While the conditions mentioned above represent the most notable and frequently encountered manifestations, parvovirus B19 can cause other rare conditions, including acute myocarditis, viral encephalitis, and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH).[12][13]

Table

Pause and Reflect A 28-year-old elementary school teacher who is 16 weeks pregnant presents to your clinic with a 3-day history of symmetric pain and swelling in her hands, wrists, and knees. She denies fever or rash. Two weeks ago, she felt mildly unwell, (more...)

Evaluation

The preferred diagnostic method for acute parvovirus B19 infection is measurement of serum anti-B19 IgM antibody levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A positive IgM antibody indicates an acute or recent infection within the previous 2 to 4 months. The IgG antibody will be positive in patients with past infection and indicates immunity. In immunocompromised patients who may not mount an adequate antibody response, PCR testing for viral DNA from serum or tissue samples can be utilized and provides high sensitivity and specificity. PCR may also be useful for detecting infection in utero through amniocentesis or for confirming chronic infection. Quantitative PCR can assess viral load, which may be helpful in monitoring response to therapy in certain clinical situations.

Treatment / Management

Treatment is typically symptomatic and supportive for most manifestations of parvovirus B19 infection. Children with erythema infectiosum usually feel well during the infection despite the rash and do not require specific antiviral treatment. If arthropathy is present and causing significant discomfort, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can be used for symptomatic relief. Red blood cell transfusions should be administered to patients experiencing an aplastic crisis to correct severe anemia and maintain adequate oxygen-carrying capacity.

Pregnant women with confirmed parvovirus B19 infection during the first and second trimesters of pregnancy should be monitored closely with serial ultrasounds every 1 to 2 weeks for 8 to 12 weeks to assess for the development of hydrops fetalis, anemia, or other fetal complications. If severe fetal anemia is detected, intrauterine blood transfusions can be administered while the fetus is in utero under ultrasound guidance, which has been shown to improve outcomes.[14] 

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) may represent a superior treatment option for parvovirus B19 infection during pregnancy, as it reduces viral replication through passive antibody transfer and modifies the hematopoietic response, without the risks associated with invasive fetal procedures. IVIG therapy has been demonstrated to reduce viral load and prevent or facilitate recovery from bone marrow suppression. Additionally, IVIG may be considered for the treatment of chronic parvovirus B19 infection in immunocompromised patients who develop persistent viremia and chronic anemia.[15]

Differential Diagnosis

The differential diagnosis of erythema infectiosum includes several conditions that may present with similar cutaneous findings. These include scarlet fever caused by group A Streptococcus, enteroviral infections (particularly echovirus and coxsackievirus), rubella, Still disease (systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis), facial erysipelas, allergic contact dermatitis, Kawasaki disease in young children, roseola infantum, morbilliform drug eruption, and early measles.

The differential diagnosis of PPGSS includes conditions presenting with acral purpura and erythema. Important considerations include meningococcemia, erythema multiforme, Henoch-Schönlein purpura (IgA vasculitis), chemotherapy-related palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome (hand-foot syndrome), Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and other viral exanthems.

Prognosis

Erythema infectiosum is usually a mild, self-limited illness for immunocompetent individuals. However, parvovirus B19 infection can cause serious and potentially life-threatening complications in immunocompromised patients, individuals with underlying hemolytic anemias, and pregnant women. In some individuals, parvovirus B19 can cause chronic infection requiring ongoing monitoring and treatment with IVIG. After an individual becomes infected with erythema infectiosum and mounts an appropriate immune response, lifelong immunity is typically acquired, protecting against reinfection. Most cases of PPGSS resolve spontaneously within 1 to 2 weeks, without long-term sequelae.

Complications

Complications of parvovirus B19 infection vary depending on the host's underlying health status and immune competence. In healthy children, complications are rare. In patients with chronic hemolytic anemias, transient aplastic crisis can result in severe, life-threatening anemia requiring urgent transfusion support. In pregnant women, fetal complications include miscarriage, hydrops fetalis, fetal anemia, congestive heart failure, and fetal demise, particularly with infection during the first and second trimesters. Immunocompromised patients may develop chronic infection with persistent anemia requiring ongoing treatment. Rare complications include acute myocarditis, encephalitis, hepatitis, and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. Chronic arthropathy, though uncommon, has been reported following acute parvovirus B19 infection, particularly in adult women.

Deterrence and Patient Education

Patient education plays a crucial role in preventing transmission and managing expectations regarding parvovirus B19 infection. Patients and parents should be counseled that individuals with the characteristic slapped cheek rash of erythema infectiosum are no longer contagious at that stage and may safely attend school or work. Conversely, patients with PPGSS remain contagious while the rash is present and should avoid close contact with high-risk individuals.

Pregnant women should be advised to practice good hand hygiene and avoid close contact with individuals known to have parvovirus B19 infection, particularly during outbreaks in schools or daycare settings. Healthcare practitioners, teachers, and daycare workers should be aware of their occupational exposure risk. Currently, no vaccine is available to prevent parvovirus B19 infection. Patients with chronic hemolytic anemias should be educated about the signs and symptoms of aplastic crisis, including fatigue, pallor, and decreased reticulocyte count, and instructed to seek prompt medical attention if these develop.

Pearls and Other Issues

Factors that should be kept in mind include:

• Several important clinical pearls should be recognized when managing parvovirus B19 infection. Patients with the "slapped cheek" appearance characteristic of erythema infectiosum are not contagious at that time, as the rash appears after IgG antibody development and viral clearance from respiratory secretions. This is a critical point for school and work exclusion policies.
• In contrast, patients with PPGSS rash are contagious at the time the rash appears, as this manifestation occurs during the viremic phase before an adequate immune response. These patients should avoid contact with pregnant women and immunocompromised individuals.
• The virus cannot be transmitted from animals to humans or vice versa due to strict human tropism. Patients with chronic hemolytic anemias should be monitored closely during community outbreaks, as they are at the highest risk for aplastic crisis. Arthropathy associated with parvovirus B19 may mimic early rheumatoid arthritis and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute symmetric polyarthritis, particularly in women of childbearing age.

Enhancing Healthcare Team Outcomes

Parvovirus B19 infections are often initially encountered and managed by pediatricians, family medicine physicians, primary care clinicians, or nurse practitioners in the outpatient setting. Optimal patient outcomes require effective communication and coordination among interprofessional healthcare team members. In most uncomplicated cases of erythema infectiosum, treatment is typically symptomatic and supportive. Children with erythema infectiosum usually feel well during the infection and do not require specific treatment beyond reassurance and monitoring. If arthropathy is present and causing functional impairment, NSAIDs can be prescribed for symptomatic relief.

Red blood cell transfusions can be administered to patients experiencing an aplastic crisis, requiring coordination with hematology specialists and transfusion medicine services. Pregnant women with confirmed infection during the first and second trimesters of pregnancy should be monitored closely through collaborative care between obstetricians, maternal-fetal medicine specialists, and radiologists performing serial ultrasounds to assess fetal well-being. If needed, intrauterine transfusions can be performed by maternal-fetal medicine specialists to correct severe fetal anemia while the fetus is in utero.

Pharmacists play a role in counseling patients about the appropriate use of NSAIDs and potential drug interactions. Nurses provide patient education about disease transmission, infection control measures, and when to seek medical attention for complications. After an individual becomes infected with erythema infectiosum and develops immunity, this typically protects them from future reinfection. Most cases of PPGSS resolve spontaneously without intervention or long-term sequelae. Public health officials may need to be notified during institutional outbreaks to implement appropriate control measures. Through effective interprofessional collaboration, communication, and care coordination, the healthcare team can optimize patient safety, improve outcomes, and provide patient-centered care for individuals affected by parvovirus B19 infection.[16][17]

Review Questions

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References

1.de Los Ángeles Ribas M, Tejero Y, Cordero Y, Pérez D, Sausy A, Muller CP, Hübschen JM. Identification of human parvovirus B19 among measles and rubella suspected patients from Cuba. J Med Virol. 2019 Jul;91(7):1351-1354. [PubMed: 30817853]2.Kiani SJ, Javanmard D, Ghaffari H, Tavakoli A, Mortazavi HS, Bokharaei-Salim F, Bangaleh Z, Monavari SH. Molecular prevalence of parvovirus B19 among HIV1-infected patients in Iran. Med J Islam Repub Iran. 2018;32:113. [PMC free article: PMC6387811] [PubMed: 30815408]3.Pinto NC, Newman C, Gomez CA, Khush KK, Moayedi Y, Lee R, Teuteberg JJ, Montoya JG. Parvovirus B19-induced severe anemia in heart transplant recipients: Case report and review of the literature. Clin Transplant. 2019 Apr;33(4):e13498. [PMC free article: PMC6850585] [PubMed: 30776137]4.Prefumo F, Fichera A, Fratelli N, Sartori E. Fetal anemia: Diagnosis and management. Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol. 2019 Jul;58:2-14. [PubMed: 30718211]5.Farcet MR, Karbiener M, Aberham C, Powers N, Aue D, Kreil TR. Parvovirus B19 rebound outbreak 2024 and implications for blood- and plasma-product safety. Transfusion. 2024 Dec;64(12):2218-2221. [PMC free article: PMC11637238] [PubMed: 39360875]6.Flunker G, Peters A, Wiersbitzky S, Modrow S, Seidel W. Persistent parvovirus B19 infections in immunocompromised children. Med Microbiol Immunol. 1998 Mar;186(4):189-94. [PubMed: 9574901]7.Neely G, Cabrera R, Hojman L. [Parvovirus B19: A DNA virus associated with multiple cutaneous manifestations]. Rev Chilena Infectol. 2018;35(5):518-530. [PubMed: 30724999]8.Simmonds P, Aiewsakun P, Katzourakis A. Prisoners of war - host adaptation and its constraints on virus evolution. Nat Rev Microbiol. 2019 May;17(5):321-328. [PMC free article: PMC7097816] [PubMed: 30518814]9.Tiwari V, Bergman MJ. StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing; Treasure Island (FL): Jul 4, 2023. Viral Arthritis. [PubMed: 30285402]10.Baddam S, Rout P. StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing; Treasure Island (FL): Jun 2, 2025. Sickle Cell Nephropathy. [PubMed: 30252273]11.Bloise S, Cocchi E, Mambelli L, Radice C, Marchetti F. Parvovirus B19 infection in children: a comprehensive review of clinical manifestations and management. Ital J Pediatr. 2024 Dec 18;50(1):261. [PMC free article: PMC11657867] [PubMed: 39696462]12.Venturini E, Tamborino AM, Arrichiello G, Attaianese F, Calò Carducci FI, Cafagno C, Caselli D, De Luca M, Garbo V, Giacomet V, Liberati C, Lancella L, Licari A, Maglione M, Midulla F, Moracas C, Moriondo M, Poeta M, Rossini C, Guarino A, Galli L. Severe Presentations and Outcomes in Hospitalized Pediatric Patients With Parvovirus B19 Infection During the 2024 Outbreak: A Multicenter Prospective Study in Italy. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2025 Oct 15; [PubMed: 41090940]13.Holzem A, Stemler J, Böhm S, Gruell H, Zeuzem A, Schalk E, Schober T, Deppe C, Hübner J, von Bergwelt-Baildon M, Spiekermann K., Infectious Diseases Working Party (AGIHO) of the German Society of Hematology and Medical Oncology (DGHO). Diverse clinical manifestations of Parvovirus B19 infections during the 2024 outbreak in Germany. Infection. 2025 Oct;53(5):2219-2226. [PMC free article: PMC12460526] [PubMed: 40668297]14.Prasad S, Khalil A, Yinon Y, Regev N, Brawura-Biskupski-Samaha R, Massoud M, Mazanowska N, Sileo FG, Prefumo F, Kosinski P, Morales Rosello J, D'Antonio F., Collaborators. Is parvovirus B19 infection upsurge in 2023-2024 associated with adverse pregnancy outcome? Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2025 Sep;66(3):307-313. [PMC free article: PMC12401498] [PubMed: 40737630]15.Lee R, Garry D, Herrera K, Choi J, Heiselman C, Bernasko J, Gonsalves Z, Stetler E, Yang T, Garduno E, Avila C. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy in pregnancies complicated by acute Parvovirus B19 infection in the second trimester: a case series. Case Rep Perinat Med. 2025 Jan;14(1):20250010. [PMC free article: PMC12443160] [PubMed: 40969285]16.Ramanathan S, Narula G, Prasad M, Vora T, Chinnaswamy G, Banavali S. Parvoviral disease in childhood cancer: Clinical outcomes and impact on therapy at a tertiary cancer center in India. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2018 Nov;65(11):e27357. [PubMed: 30058287]17.Bascietto F, Liberati M, Murgano D, Buca D, Iacovelli A, Flacco ME, Manzoli L, Familiari A, Scambia G, D'Antonio F. Outcome of fetuses with congenital parvovirus B19 infection: systematic review and meta-analysis. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2018 Nov;52(5):569-576. [PubMed: 29785793]

Disclosure: Angela Macri declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

Disclosure: Venkata Sushma Chamarthi declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

Copyright © 2025, StatPearls Publishing LLC.

This book is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) ( http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ ), which permits others to distribute the work, provided that the article is not altered or used commercially. You are not required to obtain permission to distribute this article, provided that you credit the author and journal.

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• Cite this PageMacri A, Chamarthi VS. Parvovirus B19 Infection. [Updated 2025 Nov 30]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-.

In this Page

• Continuing Education Activity
• Introduction
• Etiology
• Epidemiology
• Pathophysiology
• Histopathology
• History and Physical
• Evaluation
• Treatment / Management
• Differential Diagnosis
• Prognosis
• Complications
• Deterrence and Patient Education
• Pearls and Other Issues
• Enhancing Healthcare Team Outcomes
• Review Questions
• References

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