The following symptoms and complaints may indicate erythema infectiosum (ringworm)/parvovirus B19 infection:
- Prodromal stage (preliminary stage of infectious disease with nonspecific symptoms):
- Erythema infectiosum: fiery red eruption on the cheeks (beginning with the prodromal stage); one to 4 days later: patchy (maculopapular) erythema (areal redness of the skin),with the typical garlands or ringlets on the trunk of the body or arms and legs (extensor sides); the individual skin lesions usually flow together and fade away centrally
- Transient anemia (temporary anemia) – mild form of progression.
- If necessary, transient mono- and polyarticular arthralgias (joint pain; often the only symptom in adults).
- Concomitant hepatitis (accompanying liver inflammation).
Other notes
- In children, about 30 percent of infections are asymptomatic (symptom-free), in adults the course is much more severe.
- In pregnant women, asymptomatic courses are observed in 30-50% of cases.The detection of an initial infection with ringworm in pregnancy allows targeted monitoring ultrasound diagnosis, so that in the event of hydrops fetalis early blood exchange therapy can be given to the unborn child.
- The skin changes heal after a few days without consequences.
