A respiratory disease known as Parvovirus B19 is on the rise in all age groups in the United States, according to a recent warning from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The CDC issued the health alert on Aug. 13 after European health authorities reported “unusually” high case numbers in 14 countries in the first quarter of 2024, the alert said.
The virus typically causes a patchy rash on the cheeks that looks like someone has slapped them – hence the nickname “slap disease.”
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“Parvovirus can be a very mild infection in many people, but if you are pregnant or are immunocompromised in any way, you are at much higher risk of severe illness,” Dr. Aaron Glatt, chief of infectious diseases at Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital on Long Island, New York, told Fox News Digital.
What is parvovirus B19?
Parvovirus B19 is a virus that can be easily spread by Respiratory droplets in the air after an infected person coughs or sneezes, according to the CDC.
A respiratory disease known as parvovirus B19 is on the rise among all age groups in the United States, according to a recent warning from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (iStock)
Children often become infected at school and Tell other children through close personal contact and later to adults when they return home, experts say.
About 50 percent of people who were not previously infected contract the virus from an infected family member, while 20 to 50 percent of susceptible students and staff become infected during outbreaks at school, the warning said.
“The virus is highly contagious and can spread asymptomatically,” says Dr. Marc Siegel, senior medical analyst at Fox News and clinical professor of medicine at the NYU Langone Medical Centersaid Fox News Digital.
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Parvovirus B12 is also known as the “fifth disease” because it used to be ranked fifth on the list of most common childhood diseases. Viral diseases which, according to the Mayo Clinic, cause skin rashes.
(The first three on this list are measles, rubella and scarlet fever.)
Symptoms of the virus
Many infected people do not show symptoms, but some become ill, the warning says.
About a week after exposure, susceptible children complain of flu-like symptomsincluding fever, muscle aches, and fatigue, which generally last less than a week.
In this early phase of the disease, the risk of infection is highest.
The virus typically causes a blotchy rash on the cheeks that looks like someone has slapped them – hence the nickname “slap disease.” (iStock)
A few days after the onset of fever, children often develop the typical spotty “Slap” rash – a helpful clue to help healthcare professionals diagnose the disease.
According to experts, people are generally not contagious at the time the rash appears.
A fine, “lace-like” rash may appear on the chest, back, buttocks, or arms and legs, which is sometimes itchy, according to the CDC. It usually goes away in about a week to 10 days.
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Adults are less likely to develop a slap rash. The most common symptoms are a general rash on the body and Joint pain which affects the hands, feet and knees.
In some cases, adults experience only joint pain, which usually lasts one to three weeks – although it can last for months. It usually resolves without long-term complications.
Antibodies provide immunity
Antibodies from a previous infection help prevent a recurrence of parvovirus B12, the CDC said.
“Once infected, you are immune for life,” Siegel noted.
The largest increase in infections was among children between the ages of 5 and 9.
Most adults in the United States are immune: 50% have detectable antibody levels by age 20, and more than 70% have them by age 40, the alert says.
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The proportion of people who have recent infection fell below 3% between 2022 and 2024, but rose to 10% in June this year.
The largest increase in infections was seen among children aged 5 to 9 years, with the number of infections falling from 15% to 40% during this period, the health alert said.
People who work in environments with close contact with children, such as schools and daycare centers, are at higher risk of infection.
High-risk populations
Most healthy adults and children only become mildly ill, but people with weakened immune systems, pregnant women and in people with chronic blood disorders, this virus can cause serious health complications, according to the CDC.
“Anyone with these diseases should be treated very quickly see a doctor to address potential complications,” Glatt noted.
The CDC warned that pregnant women who are susceptible to the virus may be able to pass the disease on to their babies. (iStock)
The CDC warned that pregnant women who are susceptible to the virus may be able to pass the disease on to their babies.
“Unfortunately, there is an increased risk of miscarriage if you become infected with parvovirus during pregnancy,” Glatt said.
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Infection with parvovirus can lead to undesirable consequences during pregnancy in 5 to 10 percent of cases, such as severe anemia in the fetus and miscarriages. According to the warning, the highest risk is between the 9th and 20th week of pregnancy.
Although parvovirus B19 can affect people of all ages, only two in ten people develop physical symptoms. (iStock)
“There is an increased risk of complications in patients with significant immunocompromised conditions, such as leukemia patients who require Organ transplantation or have an HIV infection,” Glatt added.
However, because most adults are immune to the virus, many pregnant women are protected from the virus, the CDC noted.
The treatment consists mainly of “supportive care”
Infected pregnant women receive primarily supportive care, which means treating underlying symptoms and monitoring for severe fetal anemia, the recommendation says.
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People with weakened immune systems or chronic blood diseases can sometimes experience bone marrow failure as a result of the virus, the warning continued.
In this case, treatment often includes blood cell transfusions and intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG).
According to experts, people are generally not contagious at the time the rash appears. (iStock)
(IVIG is a collection of antibodies that immune systemaccording to the Mayo Clinic website.)
There is currently no vaccine to prevent parvovirus B19 and most people infected with the virus recover without long-term complications.
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“Although there is no specific treatment for parvovirus infection, it may be beneficial to detect and treat complications early,” Glatt added.
According to Siegel, washing hands can also help prevent transmission.
