Skip to main content
  1. Right Decisions
  2. Maternity & Gynaecology Guidelines
  3. Maternity
  4. Back
  5. Infections
  6. Parvovirus Guideline (593)
Please update your RDS mobile app to version 4.7.1

We are pleased to advise that deep linking capability, enabling users to directly download individual mobile toolkits, has now been released on the RDS mobile app. When you install the update, you will see that each toolkit has a small QR code icon the header area beside the search icon – see screenshot below. Clicking on this icon will open up a window with a full-size QR code and the alternative of a short URL for sharing with users. Instructions are provided.

You may need to actively install the update to install RDS app version 4.7.1 to see this improvement. Installing this update is also strongly recommended to get the full benefits of the new contingency arrangements – specifically, that if the RDS website should fail, you will still be able to download new mobile app toolkits. 

To check your current RDS version, click on the three dots bottom right of the RDS app screen. This takes you to a “More” page where you will see the version number.  To install latest updates:

On iPhones – go to the Apple store, click on your profile icon top right, scroll down to see the apps waiting to be updated and update the RDS app.

On Android phones – these can vary, but try going to the Google Play store, click on your profile icon top right, click on “Manage apps and device”, select and update the RDS app.

Please get in touch with ann.wales3@nhs.scot with any questions.

Parvovirus Guideline (593)

Please report any inaccuracies or issues with this guideline using our online form

Parvovirus B19 virus responsible for erythema infectiosum (fifth disease/ slapped cheek syndrome), 50-75% women of reproductive age are immune.

There is no specific treatment or prophylaxis available against B19 infection, but counseling of non-immune mothers and active monitoring of confirmed maternal infections with intervention to correct fetal anemia is likely to decrease mortality. At present there is no vaccine or treatment with immunoglobulin available.

Spread by respiratory droplets or hand to mouth contact. Epidemics can occur spring and mainly affects children. Viraemia occurs 4-14 days after exposure. “Slapped cheek” rash occurs 1-4 days and is associated with appearance of parvovirus B19 IgM antibodies.

Signs and Symptoms, Mild fever, flu like symptoms, slapped cheek rash, arthralgia. Up to 70% of infected pregnant women are asymptomatic.

Fetal Effects of Parvovirus

This can lead to spontaneous miscarriage and stillbirth. Spontaneous loss before 20 weeks is 13% and after 20 weeks is 0.5% 

Incidence of hydrops fetalis is 3%. Positive parvovirus infection in the absence of hydrops or anaemia does not seem to cause long term neurological morbidity. There is no increase in congenital abnormailty. The peak risk is 5 weeks post infection (range 2-12).

Exposure/Infection

If a woman is exposed to or develops signs or symptoms of parvovirus check immunity

  1. Request IgM ( current) and IgG ( past ) antibodies from booking blood virology

Contact Laboratory: 211-0080 (50080)

  1. If not yet had booking bloods then should attend GP ( NOT to attend maternity unit due to risk of infection)
  2. Email/ contact patients named Consultant informing of test, chase result.

IgM appears after 2 weeks and may last 4 months. IgG appears after 3-4 weeks and lasts for life

IgG + means immune  ( previous parvovirus)

IgG – means not immune (susceptible to parvovirus )

IgM + means infected ( has current infection- needs action)

IgM – means not infected ( no current infection) 

Editorial Information

Last reviewed: 12/10/2017

Next review date: 01/10/2022

Author(s): Laurie Anderson.

Version: 2

Approved By: Obstetrics Clinical Governance Group

Document Id: 593

References

SOGC Clinical Practice Guideline 2002
Parvovirus B19 infection NICE-CKS April 2010