Parvovirus (B-19) belongs to the Parvoviridae family of small DNA viruses. It is a non-enveloped, icosahedral virus that contains a single-stranded linear DNA genome. Parvovirus B19 is a virus that causes a childhood illness called "fifth disease" or "erythema infectiosum”, commonly called slapped cheek syndrome, which is characterized by fever and rash. The virus is found in respiratory droplets during an infection and is easily transmitted to others through close physical contact. Symptoms may include fatigue, a slight fever, headache, or an upset stomach, and many may not know that they have had a parvovirus B19 infection. In certain individuals (usually people with iron deficiency anemia, or a condition that affects or shortens the life of red blood cells), infection with human parvovirus can lead to acute hemolysis. Infected adults often experience inflammation of multiple joints which can last a matter of weeks. Neurological complications are rare. Primary infection of women during the first five months of pregnancy can cause hydrops fetalis with ascites and severe, sometimes fatal anemia. IgG antibodies are produced by the body a few weeks after the initial infection to provide long-term protection. Levels of IgG RISE during the active infection then stabilize as the parvovirus B19 infection resolves. Once a person has been exposed to parvovirus B19, they will have some measurable amount of IgG antibody in their blood for the rest of their life. See Parvovirus (B-19) DNA, PCR