Lifestyle and home remedies

Self-care treatment is aimed primarily at relieving signs and symptoms and easing any discomfort. Make sure you or your child gets plenty of rest and drinks lots of fluids. Acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) may help to relieve temperatures of more than 102 F (39 C) or minor aches and pains.

Use caution when giving aspirin to children or teenagers. Though aspirin is approved for use in children older than age 3, children and teenagers recovering from chickenpox or flu-like symptoms should never take aspirin. This is because aspirin has been linked to Reye's syndrome, a rare but potentially life-threatening condition, in such children.

It's impractical and unnecessary to isolate your sick child. You won't know your child has parvovirus infection until the rash appears, and by that time, your child is no longer contagious.