How Do You Get E. Coli – And How to Prevent It
What To Know About The 'slapped Cheek' Virus Uptick In The U.S.
A parvovirus B19 infection can cause a facial rash in children, which is why the disease caused by the virus is sometimes called "slapped-cheek disease." Dr P. Marazzi/Science Source hide caption
toggle caption Dr P. Marazzi/Science SourceFederal health officials are warning doctors to keep watch for a respiratory virus, known as parvovirus B19, as infection rates tick up in the United States.
Parvovirus B19 has existed for decades, and its symptoms are typically mild or nonexistent among children and healthy adults. But it can also lead to serious complications for people who are pregnant or immunocompromised or who have certain blood disorders.
Goats and Soda Oropouche virus 101: A guide to a little-known virus that's raising concern this yearIn a health advisory issued this week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported seeing a spike in the proportion of people who tested positive for antibodies — indicating a recent infection — especially among children ages 5 to 9.
This year, public health authorities in 14 European countries also reported observing an unusually high number of cases, according to the CDC.
Infections generally pop up during late winter, spring and early summer, while minor outbreaks appear every three to four years. This year, the infection is spreading as back to school gets underway.
Sponsor MessageHere's what to know about the virus.
How does it spread, and how do I know if I'm infected?Parvovirus B19 spreads from person to person three ways: respiratory droplets, blood or during pregnancy from mother to fetus. (Canine parvovirus, which affects dogs, is different from parvovirus B19, and it cannot pass from pet to person or vice versa.)
Most people who are infected with parvovirus B19 are asymptomatic. For those who do show symptoms, they can vary depending on age.
In children, the illness can first cause flu-like symptoms, including fever, headache and cough. That's when children are the most contagious, and this typically lasts several days, according to the CDC. Afterward, children may develop a facial rash — which is why the disease caused by the virus is sometimes called "slapped-cheek disease."
Meanwhile, in adults, the most common symptom is joint pain, which could last days to weeks.
How worried should I be?Most people recover from the illness on their own, without treatment. The risk is when parvovirus B19 affects the bloodstream and leads to complications like a severe drop in blood count.
Goats and Soda Who's most likely to save us from the next pandemic? The answer may surprise youA parvovirus B19 infection usually doesn't impact a person's pregnancy or their fetus. But in rare cases, an infection may lead to fetal anemia or a miscarriage.
It can be especially dangerous for fetuses before 20 weeks, but it can be treated if it is detected early enough, according to Katherine Bligard, a Washington University OB-GYN at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis who has seen a surge in cases in the past few months.
"Luckily, in the cases that I've seen, we have picked up early enough to be able to see the anemia [in the fetus] and treat the anemia with a fetal blood transfusion. All those fetuses are either already delivered or still doing well in their mom's uterus," she said.
An infection can also lead to severe anemia for some people with weakened immune systems, like leukemia patients or organ transplant recipients, or people with certain blood disorders, like sickle cell disease and thalassemia.
Most adults have immune protection. According to the CDC, about 50% of adults have detectable antibodies by age 20 and more than 70% of adults have detectable antibodies by 40.
How do I stay safe?Like with any respiratory virus, the CDC recommends practicing good hygiene. That means frequent hand-washing and cleaning commonly touched surfaces.
Goats and Soda How do pandemics begin? There's a new theory — and a new strategy to thwart themPeople who are at higher risk should also alert their doctor if they were exposed to a child with a high fever who later developed a facial rash, according to Dr. Kawsar Talaat, an infectious disease expert from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
"The important thing is not to panic. This is something that most of us catch without any problems," Talaat said. "This is just a heads-up to give health care providers notice that they're seeing more infection this summer and to be aware of those who are at higher risk."
NPR's Pien Huang contributed reporting.
All About Parvovirus B19, The Virus That Causes A 'Slapped Cheek' Appearance
You may have heard of sloth virus or Mpox in the news, but there's another illness making headlines, one that can cause a "slapped cheek" appearance. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a health alert over an increase in cases of parvovirus B19, a.K.A. Fifth disease.
According to the alert, the CDC has seen a big jump in the proportion of people with IgM antibodies, which is an indicator of a recent infection. That went from under 3% from 2022 to 2024 to 10% in June 2024. The biggest jump was in kids between the ages of five and nine, from 15% between 2022 and 2024 to 40% in June.
The alert also says that the CDC has received reports of higher case counts in pregnant people, which can lead to serious complications like miscarriage.
Meet the experts: William Schaffner, M.D., an infectious disease specialist and professor at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine; Richard Watkins, M.D., an infectious disease specialist and a professor of internal medicine at the Northeast Ohio Medical University
Parvovirus hasn't gotten a lot of attention over the last few years, and it's understandable to have questions. Here's what you need to know.
What is parvovirus B19?Parvovirus B19 is a respiratory virus that's common in children. About half of people will have it before they turn 20, per the CDC. Parvovirus B19, which is also known as fifth disease, tends to cause what's known as a "slapped cheek" appearance in children, where redness spreads across both cheeks, says William Schaffner, M.D., an infectious disease specialist and professor at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.
Parvovirus is mainly spread by respiratory droplets, according to the CDC. The virus can spread when someone who is infected coughs or sneezes on you, but you can also get it when respiratory droplets land on an object that you touch before touching your nose, mouth, or eyes.
Parvovirus can also be spread through blood or blood products, or from mother to baby in the womb, per the CDC.
Once you have parvovirus, you develop antibodies to the condition and won't get it again. But if you haven't had it as a child, you're susceptible to getting sick as an adult, Dr. Schaffner says.
Worth noting: Parvovirus B19 isn't the same condition as the parvovirus that dogs can get. "They are both a type of parvovirus but not the same," explains Richard Watkins, M.D., an infectious disease specialist and a professor of internal medicine at the Northeast Ohio Medical University. "Humans don't get canine parvovirus and vice versa."
Parvovirus B19 symptomsParvovirus B19 can cause a range of symptoms, including none at all or a flu-like feeling, Dr. Schaffner says. But the CDC flags these as some of the biggest symptoms of the condition to be aware of:
It depends. "Most of the infections are without symptoms, but in young children, it causes a very characteristic illness with a rash," Dr. Schaffner says.
In adults, it can cause different ailments. One is achy joints in the hands, feet, ankles, and knees, Dr. Schaffner says. "This can be very troublesome for a period of time but it goes away and doesn't cause joint destruction," he says. Parvovirus can also cause anemia, which is when you don't have enough healthy red blood cells or hemoglobin to carry oxygen to the body's tissues, Dr. Schaffner says.
In pregnant people who haven't been infected with parvovirus in the past, the condition can spread through the placenta to the baby and cause liver disease and anemia, leading to miscarriage, Dr. Schaffner says. "The major concern is really pregnant people," he says.
How long does parvovirus last?Parvovirus is usually contagious in the week before the slapped cheek rash appears, according to the Mayo Clinic. In fact, once the rash appears, you're no longer considered contagious. As for how long illness lasts, everyone can experience parvovirus differently, but the rash usually lasts for seven to 10 days, per the CDC. But if you have joint pain, it can linger for three weeks or longer, according to the CDC.
In dogs, the course of illness with parvovirus varies but dogs are the most vulnerable to serious illness and death between 48 and 72 hours after symptoms first appear, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).
Parvovirus treatmentsThere is no treatment for parvovirus B19. Instead, it's usually supportive care, like acetaminophen for fever and aches and pains, Dr. Schaffner says. He also recommends drinking plenty of water if you're sick.
There is a transfusion therapy that can be helpful for high-risk patients, per the CDC, but it's not commonly used in the general population. (Talk to your doctor if you've been exposed to parvovirus B19 and you're not sure where you fall in the risk category.)
Parvovirus preventionGiven how common parvovirus B19 is, there's only so much you can do to lower your risk of getting infected. But Dr. Schaffner says that careful hand hygiene can help. If you're pregnant, he also says it may be helpful to wear a mask (like a KN95 or N95) in crowded indoor settings, too. "There's a lot of COVID-19 out there at the present time, too," he points out. "If you're a pregnant person, you might want to be cautious and wear that mask for a few reasons."
Related StoriesWhat Is A Viral Skin Rash? Causes, Treatment, And Prevention
Understanding the difference between viral skin rashes is key to effectively treating and preventing symptoms. Here are some of the most common viral rashes, what they look like, and who's most at risk.
Measles Measles (also known as rubeola) is a highly contagious virus that causes symptoms like high fever, cough, runny nose, red or white spots in your mouth, and a rash. The rash typically starts on the face, especially near the hairline, and works its way down the body.[2]
"The measles rash looks like blotchy red or violet patches that can be flat or raised with a bumpy texture. It can merge as the rash spreads," says Geeta Yadav, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Toronto. "Tiny white spots can appear on top of these patches and may also appear in the mouth."
Anyone can get the measles, but nearly all unvaccinated people will catch the virus if exposed.[3] You're also more likely to experience complications — which can include pneumonia, brain swelling, blindness, or even death — if you're pregnant, have a weakened immune system (those with HIV/AIDS, taking chemotherapy, or recovering from surgery), or are younger than 5 years or older than 20.
[4]
Rubella Rubella (also known as German measles) is another highly contagious virus that can cause a skin rash, along with symptoms like low fever, cough, joint pain, runny nose, and pink eye.[5] The rash looks like pink or red spots that typically start on your face — often near the hairline or behind the ears — before spreading down your body, says Dr. Yadav.
It's possible for anyone to get rubella, but nearly every unvaccinated person exposed to the virus will get it.[6] If you get rubella during pregnancy, it's also possible that your baby will develop congenital rubella syndrome, a rare but potentially severe condition that can cause developmental issues.
[7]
Roseola Roseola is a common viral skin rash in babies. It's contagious and caused by human herpesvirus 6, which affects nearly all infants and young children before they turn 2. Though rare, it's possible for older children or adults to get it, too.[8]
Roseola causes a sudden high fever followed by a rash of flat or raised pink and light red spots.[8] The rash often starts on the torso before spreading to the rest of the body, says Yadav.
Chicken Pox (Varicella Zoster) Chicken pox is a contagious infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus. It's a common viral rash in children, though it can also occur in unvaccinated adults.[9]
"There are three phases to the chicken pox rash," says Yadav. "Initially, it's red and bumpy, then after a few days, the bumps turn into fluid-filled blisters. A few days after that, the blisters scab over." Chicken pox typically appears on the face or trunk before spreading across the body, and it's very itchy the entire time.[9]
Shingles (Herpes Zoster) Shingles is an infection caused by the reactivation of the chicken pox virus. Anyone who has had chicken pox is susceptible to shingles, though it's most common in people age 50 or older, especially those who haven't been vaccinated. Your risk increases with age, which is why you usually see this viral rash in older adults.[10]
"The shingles rash is a raised rash on one side of the body, typically on the face or trunk," says Yadav. But the rash can be more widespread (similar to a chicken pox rash) in people with weakened immune systems.[11] "The area is typically very painful, itchy, and tingly before the rash appears. After a few days, the rash will turn into a blister, which will break and then scab over," Yadav notes.
Fifth Disease Fifth disease, also known as erythema infectiosum, is a common viral rash caused by parvovirus B19. It primarily strikes during spring and early summer months and affects kids between 5 and 15 years old, though adults can also get infected.[12]
The condition starts with symptoms like fever, vomiting, and diarrhea, followed by its characteristic "slapped-cheek" rash — a bright red, raised, and itchy rash on the cheeks, says Yadav. Some people also develop a second rash on the torso or buttocks that has a "lacy" appearance.
Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease Hand, foot, and mouth disease is a common condition typically caused by coxsackievirus 16.[13] It usually infects children, though adults can get it too, says Gary Goldenberg, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City.
"This rash usually causes small red spots or blisters on hands, feet, and the insides of the mouth. The mouth sores can be very painful," he says. The virus also causes fever, sore throat, and fatigue.[13]
Molluscum ContagiosumMolluscum contagiosum (also called water warts) is a viral skin infection caused by a virus of the same name. It's most common in children, and causes flesh-colored, dome-shaped bumps with a central dimple that can be painful or irritating, says Dr. Goldenberg.
These pimple-like bumps can appear anywhere on the body, but are most common on the face, torso, and limbs.[14] It's also possible for adults to sexually transmit the virus, which can cause bumps on or around the genitals, Goldenberg says.
"While the bumps may resolve on their own, it can take approximately one and a half years," he says.
Herpes Simplex Virus Herpes is a highly contagious condition caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2). It can infect different parts of the body — like the mouth, genitals, or eyes — and spreads through skin-to-skin contact with the infected area. Anyone can get it, and once you're infected, the virus stays in your body forever (though it often remains dormant).[15]
A herpes rash is painful red, fluid-filled blisters or sores, typically on lips (HSV-1) or genitals (HSV-2), says Goldenberg. The herpes virus can also cause fever and swollen lymph glands.[15]
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