EBV, parvo, fever for 4.5 months

[srolf11]

Symptoms:
daily fever (99.5-102)  x 4.5 months
fatigue x 4.5 months
joint pain x 3.5 mo
petechial (sp?) rash on feet/ankles x 1 mo


I have had mono (or the tests and symptoms state that I've had mono) for nearly five months. About one month into the mono, I started experiencing extreme joint pain in my hands, elbows, wrists, knees, ankles and feet. Four months into this pain and after seeing an infectious disease dr and rheumatologist, my regular dr told me I tested positive for the parvovirus B19. But, that and the mono just don't seem to cover the length of my symptoms. The infectious disease dr told me it was all allergies (hard to believe b/c I've had seasonal-type allergies my whole life) and the rheumatologist said it was reactive arthritis but from what I've read that has to do with mostly STD's and I've been tested (negative) for everyone of them under the sun.


My CRP was 29.4, rheumatoid factor was 29.7 and ESR was 20.

Could there be more going on the just the mono and parvovirus?

[srolf11]

Just wanted to update if anyone is following this link.

After having mono and parvo b19 I was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis which is an anutoimmune disease similar to RA but mostly effects the spine, hips and SI joints. From everything I've read and learned from my rheumatologist, the mono and parvo pretty much activated the AS that I may or may not have ever developed in my life.

Early on in this 1.5 year process I had an infectios disease dr tell me it was all my allergies!

I am not on Enbrel and diclofenac and have had fewer flares and am overall doing a bit better.

[srolf11]

Interesting! That article was very informative. I will certainly bring that up to my rheumatologist.

Thanks!

[mikel668]

Also read here - reactive and septic arthritis are not unknown. Rashes too are very common with a mycoplasma infection. They can do a test - DNA PCR if your in the US, if your not your going to struggle.

More info here:-

http://www.rain-tree.com/myco.htm

[srolf11]

I'll have to look up the mycoplasma pneumonia. Thanks for the info.

[srolf11]

Yes, I have a rash (petechial) on both of my feet and ankles. It's going away slowly. My rheumatologist said it was reactive arthritis too...that's what I think they all say when they're not sure what is really wrong. How long have your symptoms lasted?

I feel your pain!

[PlateletGal]

Different species of mycoplasma seem to be the culprit in many illnesses, including autoimmune conditions and CFIDS.

[mikel668]

I had the same a few years ago. Turns out it was mycoplasma pneumonia (community acquired atypical pnuemonia) - the reactive arthritis is definately a strong clue. The bacteria gets into your lungs and then seeps out into your bloodstream. Ignore the mono and parvo tests - herpes viruses just come to the fore when your immune system is being battered by something else.

[Cait125]

Wow!
I am experiencing something very similar to you right now. This post is even painful to type but I am just desperate to figure out what is causing my pain. I too have severe joint pain and swelling along with fevers, fatigue and musle pain. The same joints you have are infected. Any chance you have had small skin rashes, as well?
I tested positive for Parvo virus and also for Blastocystis, a parasite that I contracted abroad. Yet, these dont account for all of my symptoms. I was also told that I have  reactive arthritis. I was put on steroids for a month, had some relief but flare ups continue and seem to worsen as time goes on.

[srolf11]

My ANA was negative so Lupus was ruled out, even though Lupus can't really be ruled out with one blood test. The rheumatologist I went to had more blood work done and x-rays of my hands and feet called and said everything came back "normal", even when during the examination she said she saw and felt the swelling in my hands, wrists, elbows, knees, ankles and feet. I meet with her in a few days and can hopefully get a clearer picture of what's wrong. I know that the mono and parvo certainly can and do present with my symptoms, it's just been so long that it's hard to believe that for everything I'm feeling it's just these two little viruses.

Thanks for your reply!

[PlateletGal]

It certainly sounds like there is more going on than the mono / parvovirus ! It sounds like you have inflammation and no cause for it. Have your physicians ruled out autoimmune conditions such as lupus ?