Human parvovirus B19

[Sarah777]

Has anyone come across a connection with SLE and human parvovirus? I've just had a letter from my rheumatologist to say I've tested positive for it, but was being investigated for SLE, very confused as and my next appointment is not until December.... Any help would be really appreciated

[Maya23]

I've not heard of that virus but I have read recently that scientists are discovering that a viral or bacterial infection could be triggers for autoimmune disease. I found this article recently about how certain bacteria can trigger it:

healthline.com/health-news/...

I hope you get some answers.

x

[Sarah777 in reply to Maya23]

Thank you for your reply, makes a lot of sense, just wish I felt better x

[johare]

I wouldn't worry too much children tend to get this a lot. Its known as slapped cheek. If you have the red rash on your face its toward the end of the cycle. Kids tend to get; cold like symptoms at first then the rash which can be on the face, trunk, hands, feet. If you are already autoimmune it may cause a flare.

[Lupyknit]

My son had this virus last summer (at the grand age of 21) and I picked it up, too, although I must have been in contact with it before he was born and his toddler older brother had it. Not diagnised with lupus at the time and put it down to being generally undernourished. It wasn't too bad though. About three days of feeling rotten, then I got over it.

Out of interest, I am part of research at the uni and they are keeping a close eye because I once had a positive reaction to the TB skin prick test. I had thought this simply meant I had come into contact with TB but my body fought it off. However, this means I could have "latent TB" and part of my city has quite a bit of active TB. Another thing they are telling me to report any symptoms asap. I suppose it's like having chicken pox as a child which hangs around in the body to leap out as shingles. Had those too!

The uni was also interested as part of the research in whether I had travelled to any tropical areas. I have, and lived in Malaysia for 3 years. They are looking closely at any connection with parasitical or other diseases which may be connected to lupus in later life.

[johare]

Were you immunised for Tb in school? What area did you grow up in?

[johare]

Latent Tb means you have Tb in your system but no symptoms. You cannot pass it to anyone. You can become I'll especially if you have lowered immunity. I presume they have either done a sputum or blood test? That's why I asked if you had been immunised as a child as this can produce a positive skin test.

[Asarahjohnson]

I also had parvo b19 prior to my diagnosis. Viruses have been implicated in the causation of SLE. Also parvo can cause similar symptoms and a similar blood picture to SLE with anaemia, low white cells and low platelets. Hope that helps.

[johare]

Sorry about the Tb response above, posted to the wrong response.