A pharmacist tells the story of this mother who entered her pharmacy in the north-east of the country because her son was complaining of itchy arms, legs and face. After trying a gel, without result, she went the next day to her pediatrician, who diagnosed the “fifth childhood illness”, caused by Parvovirus B19. According to the president of the Luxembourg Pediatric Society, Serge Allard, the virus has been strongly present in the Grand Duchy “for several weeks”.
The Ministry of Health explains that infections with this virus occur in epidemics every three to four years. Serge Allard wants to be reassuring: “It is not a serious illness. The child will have a fever for a few days, and a rash on the arms, legs and face, which can last for four to six weeks. According to information from the Ministry of Health, this disease can however “be more serious in immunocompromised patients” and the infection could cause problems in a pregnant woman, such as “spontaneous abortions, significant anemia and in utero deaths” .
In Luxembourg, no fetal death or damage to an immunocompromised person has been reported by hospitals. According to Serge Allard’s estimates, the peak of the disease has been reached but “it is an illness that should not be declared, so it is very difficult to be certain.” The pediatrician does not recommend that parents take special precautions, it would be an illness “without consequences”
