Questions in the Maternal and Child Health Forum have been answered by doctors from Henry Ford Health System.

Question Title: Trying to get pregnant, clomid, & parvovirus

Forum: The Maternal and Child Health Forum
Topic: Pregnancy - Abnormal


My husband and I are trying to get pregnant again. I am taking clomid in
hopes that I will be pregnant soon. I contracted parvovirus 3-4 weeks ago
and I am still getting the rash and swollen joints. I understand this can
go on for some time. Is it safe to try to get pregnant now while this is
still going on? I am 37 years old and have a severe case of endometriosis.
I was pregnant for the first time, after 10 years of trying, 2 years ago
and gave birth to a beautiful baby. We feel the rush is on to get pregnant
again due to my age and before the endometriosis becomes bad again. I
understand parvovirus is dangerous to pregnant women. Could this disease
still be in my system and is it dangerous to try to become pregnant now?

Dear Lynette:
Parvovirus, the etiologic agent of fifth disease (this was the fifth in a list of described rash-associated infections), is spread, like most viruses, before the outbreak of symptoms and during the early symptom time. Once the rash has appeared, the virus seems to be cleared from the body and the subsequent symptoms (joint pain) is a immune (body defense system) rather than an infectious mechanism.
In women who have had an infection in the past, there are no reports of harm to pregnancy. The only harm has occurred when a fresh, acute infection occurs in someone already pregnant, especially in the first half of pregnancy.
There is no information on how pregnancy will affect the clearing of the symptoms which can linger from the acute phase of the disease. These symptoms and their cause have been likened to rheumatoid arthritis. When arthritis is quiet at the beginning of pregnancy, it tends to stay quiet; when it is active at the onset of pregnancy, flare ups are more common in pregnancy.

This material is provided for informational purposes only and should not be considered a formal medical consultation. If you have specific questions, please contact your primary physician.


 

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