Which virus commonly causes transient inflammatory polyarthritis and may be associated with a mild rash?

• A. Influenza A
• B. Parvovirus B19
• C. Rotavirus
• D. Varicella zoster

Answer: (B)

Parvovirus B19 infection most often produces an acute, inflammatory arthritis in adults that is usually symmetric and involves the small joints of the hands and wrists. The arthritis is typically transient, lasting a few weeks to a couple of months, and in some cases is accompanied by a mild rash. The joint symptoms arise from an immune-mediated process rather than ongoing viral replication, which helps explain why the arthritis can outlast other viral symptoms and resolve on its own.

Influenza A can cause systemic symptoms but not the classic inflammatory polyarthritis pattern. Rotavirus mainly causes gastroenteritis. Varicella zoster presents with a vesicular rash and neuropathic pain rather than a transient inflammatory arthritis. Thus Parvovirus B19 best fits the description of causing transient inflammatory polyarthritis with possible mild rash.