{"id":5621,"date":"2019-04-15T03:36:54","date_gmt":"2019-04-15T03:36:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=5621"},"modified":"2021-03-30T19:51:34","modified_gmt":"2021-03-30T19:51:34","slug":"14-common-symptoms-of-parvovirus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/14-common-symptoms-of-parvovirus\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Common Symptoms of Parvovirus"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The parvovirus is a highly contagious virus that can infect both children and adults. It can easily spread from person to person through contact with saliva, blood, and other bodily fluids. Parvovirus is contagious before symptoms appear so most people don\u2019t realize they are spreading the virus until it\u2019s too late. Once a person starts to demonstrate symptoms, they are no longer contagious. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Everyone reacts to the parvovirus differently, but there are some symptoms that are common with the disease. Some people will experience all these symptoms and others may only experience one or a few. Some people will also have more mild symptoms than others. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Children seem to have different symptoms and often more severe symptoms than adults. Those with weakened immune systems, pregnant women, and anyone receiving cancer treatment may have severe complications caused by the virus and require hospitalization. The parvovirus usually lasts about a week but can last longer or be shorter depending on a person\u2019s immune system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Fever<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The first sign of any virus is usually a fever<\/a>. The fever can start out as low, but can quickly get higher. The body uses fever as a way to reset and give the immune system a boost to help it fight the virus that has infected the body. Most people experience a fever through the duration of the infection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Medication can help reduce the fever or even make it go away, but it may return once the medicine wears off. Children are likely to have a higher fever than adults. Cool baths, plenty of fluids and rest can also help reduce the severity of a fever. It is important to stay hydrated if you are suffering from a fever, as it can cause the body to sweat and lose liquid quickly. Dehydration can make any illness worse and makes it harder for the immune system to fight the virus. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Rash<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A rash <\/a>is a very common symptom parvovirus and can even help doctors diagnose it. Adults who contract this illness often don\u2019t get the rash, but it is very common in children. It often starts on the face and appears and redness. It soon turns to small red spots that spread all over the body. The bumps are usually no raised but look like small flecks of redness on the skin. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The rash often appears towards the end of the illness. The person may even start to feel better before the rash appears. It can also come in go for several weeks after the person has recovered. It can get worse if you go out in the sun or are exposed to extremely hot or cold temperatures. Eventually, it goes away and doesn\u2019t return. It is usually not painful, but some people do experience and pain and itchy. In some cases, the rash may appear as slightly raised bumps that get worse with scratching. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Sore Throat<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A sore throat<\/a> is another common symptom of parvovirus. It can also be a symptom of many other illnesses including mono, a cold, the flu, allergies, and strep throat. Kids often experience severe pain and may even struggle to eat and drink properly due to the pain. It can be treated with pain medications, saltwater rinses, and antiseptic sprays that also help kill any active infections in the mouth. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not everyone with parvovirus will suffer from a sore throat, and many people don\u2019t realize they are sick until after they are no longer contagious. Blisters can appear in the back of the throat, and the tonsil may become swollen and inflamed as a result of the virus. Warm liquids and cough drops can also help soothe these symptoms. Doctors often inspect the throat and may even do a throat culture to make sure the virus is the cause of the pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Headache<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Many people suffer from headaches<\/a>, and very few relate them to illness unless there are other symptoms. A headache is often one of the first symptoms that you notice if you are sick with the parvovirus. It can go away and return throughout the entire infection. Some people even experience headaches related to the virus after it has left their system and they are no longer experiencing other symptoms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Headaches can be managed with pain medication and plenty of rest. Often, the headache is the result of other symptoms such as dehydration or fever. Since headaches are so common and are also a symptom of many other illnesses, doctors do not consider them a telltale symptom of parvovirus. Headaches that do not go away or come back quickly once the medication wears off are usually a sign of a viral infection. Once the patient recovers, the headaches should become less frequent. Fluids can help lessen the severity of a headache too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Upset Stomach<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The parvovirus<\/a> can attack the entire body, and many people experience stomach aches and abdominal pain once the virus has fully attacked the body. The virus can even cause some people to vomit or experience bowel problems such as constipation or diarrhea. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not everyone with the parvovirus will suffer from stomach pain, and abdominal problems and most people do not realize they have a virus when they do experience these symptoms. An upset stomach can be a symptom of many other viruses and infections as well. It can also be caused by indigestion and food allergies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Medication can be taken to help with pain and nausea. If you are throwing up, a doctor may also prescribe a medication to help settle the stomach until the virus is no longer active. Children are more likely to experience stomach and abdominal pain than adults. Stomach pain usually doesn\u2019t last long and should go away after a couple of days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Runny Nose<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A runny nose can be a sign of allergies<\/a>, a cold, the flu, or a sinus infection. It can also be a sign of a viral infection like the parvovirus. The virus attacks the body, and the tissue inside the nose becomes swollen and inflamed. This prevents fluid from draining from your sinuses and can either cause it to back up and drop or leak out in a consistent stream, or become blocked by the nasal tissue. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some people may experience both a postnasal drip and a stuffy nose at the same time. Each nostril can also experience a different symptom as well.  Nasal sprays can help open up the nasal passages and prevent congestion. Antihistamine and steroids are sometimes prescribed to people with parvovirus to help treat a runny nose. Some people have a hard time breathing and eating due to the runny nose. It can also make sleeping difficult.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Joint Pain<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Many adults suffer from pain in their joints caused by the parvovirus. While children may also suffer from joint pain, it is usually not as severe and only lasts for a short time. For adults, this is often the signature symptom of parvovirus and also the most unpleasant. People who have arthritis may suffer from severe joint pay that makes it unable for them to move. Pain medication <\/a>can help relieve the pain as can topical treatments. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The joints that are most commonly affected include the wrists, knees, hips, elbows, and ankles. Some people have to stay in bed while suffering from the parvovirus because the joint pain is so bad. A doctor may prescribe medication to help reduce inflammation and pain. Medication may need to be taken every few hours to prevent the pain from coming back. Some people suffer from joint pain for a few days after the virus has left their system and other symptoms have subsided. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Itchy, Painful Skin<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Itchy and painful skin is another common symptom of the parvovirus. The skin may start to tingle and hurt or itch before any other symptoms appear. Most people find it odd that they can\u2019t find the reason for the sensations. Doctors can prescribe steroid<\/a> creams and antihistamines to help stop the itch and pain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Topical lotions can also help. While a rash often accompanies this symptom, the pain and itchiness are not related to it. Scratching the skin can actually cause more harm than good and can lead to broken skin that can easily become infected. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since parvovirus can be spread by blood, this can also make a person more contagious. Some people experience both pain and itchiness at the same time, and others only have one sensation or the other. It may go away and come back a few days later and it can last for up to a week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Chills<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019ve already discussed how people with parvovirus come down with a fever. In most cases, it’s low-grade and not cause for concern. However, sometimes parvovirus brings on ‘a high temperature, resulting in delirium and chills<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It may seem strange that someone who\u2019s dealing with a fever can suddenly feel cold. These chills occur due to the body changing the temperature setpoint. The brain cells for an elevation in the production of pyrogens to raise the temperature. These proteins attach to nerve ends, increasing the setpoint temperature. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, it takes some time for your body to catch up to the new setpoint, resulting in the development of chills that make you shiver. In most cases, a doctor won\u2019t break a fever, as it\u2019s the body\u2019s natural defense to infection. However, should it reach 102F or more, then the physician will administer medications to bring the patient back to a normal temperature range.
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10. Dehydration<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019ve already mentioned how the effects of vomiting may result in dehydration. Unfortunately, dehydration <\/a>is one of the more severe complications of parvovirus. When the body expels fluids through vomiting, it loses valuable minerals and electrolytes along with the liquids. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018As a result of the fluid and mineral loss, the patient may start to experience an electrolyte imbalance. Electrolytes are vital for maintaining the function of the nervous system. With sufficient electrolytes in your body fluids, you\u2019ll start to develop seizures that could land you in a coma. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s for this reason that doctors recommend that patients replace body fluids after each vomiting session. Use a specialized supplement designed for this purpose to replenish your electrolytes and restore your mineral balance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s critical that you don\u2019t use energy drinks like Gatorade to rehydrate. These drinks contain sugar which further depletes the body of water, resulting in a host of complications.
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11. Muscle Ache<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Patients with parvovirus infection will notice that they start to develop signs of stiff and sore muscles. This symptom occurs due to the body\u2019s natural defense mechanism for fighting off invading pathogens<\/a>. When the brain detects the presence of bacterial, fungal, or viral pathogens, it signals for the production of antibodies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These antibodies attack the virus and defend the body from the further spread of the pathogen. The antibodies penetrate muscle tissues to root out the virus and destroy it, resulting in the development of sore muscles. The body is killing off the parvovirus, and your muscles are the battlefield. Think of the pain response to sore muscles as collateral damage and a sign that your body is winning the war against the virus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This symptom typically subsides with the administration of painkillers and anti-inflammatories. In most cases, the patient receives relief from muscle ache within 48-hours after symptoms start to show up.
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12. Fatigue<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

People who are dealing with parvovirus infection may notice that they start to experience diminished levels of energy. Fighting off a virus is hard on your body, and the immune system requires plenty of biological energy <\/a>to win the war against the virus. As a result, the patient may find that they start to tire as the symptoms emerge. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The patient may find it hard to get out of bed the following morning as the immune system battles against the infection. During this time, it\u2019s critical to give your body the rest it needs to fight the virus and recover from the disease. Staying on your feet or trying to go to work will only slow your immune system down and add a few more days to your recovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bed rest, fluids, and plenty of sleep are the best ways to rids yourself of parvovirus in as short a time as possible.
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13. Severe Anemia<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

People who are living with the blood disorder, \u201canemia,\u201d may experience severe complications with their condition due to parvovirus infection. Anemia <\/a>describes a situation where the body does not produce enough hemoglobin. This protein found in red blood cells helps to deliver oxygen throughout the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People with anemia find that they don\u2019t get enough oxygen to their muscles and nervous system, resulting in a persistent feeling of fatigue. In most cases, anemia occurs due to diminished levels of iron in the body, and doctors treat it through supplementing the patient’s diet with iron.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, in some cases, anemia may be genetic, resulting in life-long problems with the disorder for the patient. Parvovirus infection may exacerbate symptoms of anemia, leaving the patient feeling tired and prone to blacking out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Patients with anemia infected with the parvovirus should seek immediate medical treatment for their condition. Doctors may hospitalize the affected individual to monitor their status while the infection clears.
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14. No Symptoms<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While parvovirus is deadly in puppies and pronounced in children, adults often barely notice any symptoms. As a result, many adults may experience parvovirus infection and brush off the symptoms as a mild cold. Typical symptoms of a runny nose and flushing in the face are what we expect from the flu<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some adults may not even realize they are infected and experience no symptoms of the disease. Instead, they remain \u201ccarriers\u201d of the virus, and infect others in their household and community. While parvovirus is a common disease and confines itself to small outbreaks, and it rarely presents any life-threatening symptoms or complications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, as with any infection, it\u2019s vital that you seek and medical diagnosis if you think there is anything wrong with you. Delaying diagnosis and treatment could lead to the onset of severe complications. Doctors will rarely treat parvovirus unless it starts to present further complications in the patient.
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