Parvovirus infection, commonly known as “slapped cheek disease,” is a highly contagious and common disease, particularly in those with a weakened immune system. Below are the signs, symptoms, and precautions to manage this seasonal disease.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a health alert due to a concerning increase in cases of parvovirus B19. According to the CDC, parvovirus B19 is a seasonal respiratory virus that spreads through respiratory droplets from people who have symptoms or are asymptomatic. Read on to learn more about this virus.
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What is parvovirus?
Parvovirus infection, commonly known as “slapped cheek disease,” is a highly contagious and common illness in children. The term “slapped cheek” refers to the characteristic facial rash associated with the condition. Parvovirus infection is also sometimes referred to as “fifth disease” because it was historically listed as the fifth disease in a series of common childhood illnesses that involve one or more rashes.
Causes and symptoms
Parvovirus B19 is highly transmissible through respiratory droplets. In fact, 50 percent of vulnerable individuals become infected after a “household exposure,” and 20 to 50 percent of students become infected through close contact at school. In fact, it can also be transmitted through “transfusion of blood components” and certain “plasma derivatives.”
The early signs and symptoms of parvovirus infection are different in children than in adults. A child may begin to experience fever, upset stomach, runny nose, headache, and a characteristic facial rash (bright red rash that appears on both cheeks).
Adults, on the other hand, do not usually suffer from rashes in the form of cheeks, but may develop joint pain that can last for weeks. The most commonly affected areas of the body are the wrists, hands, knees and ankles.
Precautions
According to the CDC, here are some precautions people should keep in mind.
- Learn about the serious symptoms and risk factors associated with parvovirus B19.
- Pregnant women who have been exposed to someone with a confirmed parvovirus B19 infection should seek medical attention immediately.
- Additionally, people with weakened immune systems, such as those with sickle cell disease or thalassemia, should see a doctor if they have symptoms of parvovirus B19.
- People at higher risk for severe infection should wear masks when around others. Once the facial rash is visible, children and adults with this infection are no longer considered contagious.
