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Parvovirus Or 'slapped Cheek Disease' Is On The Rise, CDC Warns: Here's What To Know
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A respiratory disease known as parvovirus B19 is on the rise in the U.S. Among all age groups, according to a recent advisory from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The CDC issued the health alert on Aug. 13 after European public health authorities reported "unusually" high numbers of cases in 14 countries during the first quarter of 2024, the advisory said.
The virus typically causes a blotchy rash on the cheeks that appears as if someone has slapped them — hence its nickname, "slapped cheek 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 a much greater risk of serious 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 in the U.S. Among all age groups, according to a recent advisory from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (iStock)
Children are often infected at school and spread it to other kids through close personal contact, then later to adults when they come home, experts say.
Approximately 50% of people who were not previously infected contract the virus from an infected family member — while 20% to 50% of susceptible students and staff become infected during school outbreaks, the advisory notes.
"The virus is highly contagious and can spread asymptomatically," Dr. Marc Siegel, senior medical analyst for Fox News and clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center, told Fox News Digital.
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Parvovirus B12 is also known as "fifth disease" because it was previously listed fifth on a list of common childhood viral illnesses that cause rashes, according to Mayo Clinic.
(The top three on this list are measles, rubella and scarlet fever.)
Symptoms of the virusMany people who get infected don't have symptoms, but some will experience sickness, according to the advisory.
About a week after an exposure, susceptible children may complain of flu-like symptoms, including fever, muscle pain and fatigue, which generally last less than a week.
People are most contagious in this early phase of the illness.
The virus typically causes a blotchy rash on the cheeks that appears as if someone has slapped them — hence the nickname "slapped cheek disease." (iStock)
Several days after the fever starts, children often develop the hallmark blotchy "slapped cheek" rash — a helpful clue that health care providers use to diagnose the illness.
People are generally not infectious by the time they develop the rash, experts say.
A fine, "lacy" rash may follow on the chest, back, buttocks, or arms and legs that 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 the "slapped cheek" rash. Their most common symptoms are a generalized rash on the body and joint pain that affects the hands, feet and knees.
In some cases, adults only experience joint pain, which usually lasts one to three weeks – although it can last for months. It usually resolves without long-term complications.
Antibodies provide immunityAntibodies from prior infection help prevent recurrence of parvovirus B12, the CDC said.
"Once infected, you have a lifetime immunity," Siegel noted.
The largest increase in infections was among children ages 5 to 9.
Most adults in the United States are immune — with 50% having detectable antibody levels by age 20, and more than 70% acquiring them by age 40, per the advisory.
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The share of people who have had a recent infection dropped below 3% between 2022 and 2024, but increased to 10% in June of this year.
The largest increase in infections was among children ages 5 to 9, going from 15% to 40% in that time frame, the health alert noted.
People who work in settings with close contact with children, such as schools and day cares, are at a greater risk of infection.
High-risk populationsMost healthy adults and children only have a mild illness, but people with weakened immune systems, pregnant women and those with chronic blood disorders can develop serious health complications from this virus, according to the CDC.
"Anyone with those conditions should be very quick to seek out medical attention to help address potential complications," Glatt noted.
Pregnant women who are susceptible to the virus may spread the illness to their babies, the CDC warned. (iStock)
Pregnant women who are susceptible to the virus may spread the illness to their babies, the CDC warned.
"Unfortunately, there is an increased risk of miscarriage if you get parvovirus during pregnancy," Glatt said.
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Parvovirus infection may lead to adverse outcomes — such as severe anemia in the fetus and miscarriage — in 5% to 10% of cases during pregnancy, with the highest risk at between 9 and 20 weeks of fetal gestation, per the advisory.
While parvovirus B19 can affect humans of all ages, only two out of 10 individuals will have physical symptoms. (iStock)
"There is an increased risk of complications in patients with significant immunocompromising conditions, such as those who have leukemia, have received an organ transplant or have an HIV infection," Glatt added.
Since most adults are immune to the virus, however, many pregnant women are protected from the virus, the CDC noted.
Treatment is mainly 'supportive care'Infected pregnant women primarily receive supportive care, which means treating the underlying symptoms and monitoring for severe fetal anemia, according to the advisory.
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People with weakened immune systems or those with chronic blood disorders can sometimes develop bone marrow failure as a result of the virus, the advisory added.
In that case, treatment often includes blood cell transfusions and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG).
People are generally not infectious by the time they develop the rash, experts say. (iStock)
(IVIG is a collection of antibodies that strengthens the immune system, according to Mayo Clinic's website.)
There is currently no vaccine to prevent parvovirus B19, and most people infected with the virus will recover without any long-term complications.
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"While there is no specific treatment for parvovirus infection, recognizing the complications and addressing them early may be of benefit," Glatt added.
Hand-washing can also help to prevent transmission, according to Siegel.
CDC Warns Of Rise In Human Parvovirus B19 Cases In The US. How To Stay Safe
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Parvovirus, Aka 'slapped Cheek Disease' Is On The Rise. Symptoms To Watch For
Cases of parvovirus B19, commonly called "slapped cheek disease," are rising in the United States, especially among children. The highly contagious viral infection is usually mild in healthy people but can cause complications in certain individuals.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a health advisory on Aug. 13 warning about an increase in parvovirus B19 activity across the country, with the greatest surge among children ages five to nine.
The proportion of people of all ages in the U.S. With antibodies for parvovirus B19, an indicator of a recent infection, rose from less than 3% during 2022–2024 to 10% in June 2024, the CDC said. Among children ages five to nine, it increased from 15% to 40%.
In addition to increased test positivity, the CDC said it has received reports of clusters of parvovirus B19-associated complications among pregnant people and people with sickle cell disease.
The health alert comes after public health authorities in Europe reported unusually high numbers of parvovirus B19 cases in 14 countries during the first quarter of 2024, the agency said.
What is parvovirus B19, what are the symptoms to watch out for and how does it spread? Here's what to know about the common viral disease.
What is human parvovirus B19?Human parvovirus B19 is a common and highly contagious seasonal respiratory infection, Dr. William Schaffner, professor of infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, tells TODAY.Com. Infections are most common in the late spring and summer.
The infection is often referred to as "slapped cheek disease" due to the characteristic facial rash it can cause, but it may also be referred to as "fifth disease." This is because it was fifth on a numbered list of viral childhood illnesses that cause rashes, which clinicians developed in the 1990s, NBC News previously reported.
"It's very common in children, and that's often where all of us acquire the infection for the first time," says Schaffner. In most people, parvovirus B19 infection is mild or asymptomatic.
Many adults in the U.S. Are immune to parvovirus, likely due to a previous unnoticed infection during childhood, per the Mayo Clinic. About 50% of adults will have parvovirus B19 antibodies by the age of 20 and about 70% will have antibodies by age 40, the CDC says.
The virus can cause more severe disease in adults without existing immunity, especially women, says Schaffner, and serious complications in certain individuals. These include pregnant people, people who are immunocompromised and people with certain blood disorders, according to the CDC.
How does human parvovirus spread?Human parvovirus B19 is highly transmissible and spreads readily from person to person through respiratory droplets, says Schaffner.
These droplets are produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes, per the CDC. It's typically transmitted through close personal contact, Schaffner adds.
"Children typically spread it amongst themselves and they're the ones who bring it home (from school) and infect adults," says Schaffner.
Less commonly, parvovirus can also be transmitted during pregnancy from mother to fetus, or through blood transfusions, per the CDC.
What are the symptoms of human parvovirus?Parvovirus B19 infection typically does not cause symptoms, says Schaffer. When symptoms do occur, they are often mild and flu-like or nonspecific. These include:
These flu-like symptoms typically last about five days, per the CDC, during which a person is most infectious. Later in the illness, a very distinctive bright red rash can appear on both cheeks of the face, says Schaffner
The "slapped cheek" rash is most common in children. The rash may also spread to the chest, back, torso, arms and legs and become itchy, per the CDC.
The rash caused by parvovirus B19 typically clears up within seven to 10 days, but it can last or come and go for several weeks before eventually going away, says Schaffner. During this time, the rash may become more prominent after a child exercises, after they're exposed to hot temperatures or sun, or after crying, he adds.
Joint issuesAdults infected with parvovirus B19 are less likely to develop a face rash and may experience other severe symptoms. These include joint pain and swelling of the hands, wrists, knees or ankles, says Schaffner. These may look like rheumatoid arthritis, he adds.
These joint symptoms can last anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, per the CDC. "It generally goes away and there's no lasting injury to the joints, but for a period of weeks, it can be a very unpleasant and troublesome illness," says Schaffner.
Parvovirus B19 complicationsMost people recover from parvovirus B19 completely. However, it is more likely to cause complications in people who are pregnant, immunocompromised or have underlying blood disorders, and have never been exposed to the virus, according to the CDC.
Exposure to parvovirus B19 typically does not impact a pregnancy, but in some cases, the infection can cross the placenta and infect the fetus, says Schaffner. This can lead to adverse effects such as fetal anemia or a miscarriage, he adds.
Averse fetal outcomes occur in about 5% of pregnant women, and the risk is highest if the infection occurs between nine to 20 weeks of gestation, per the CDC. "The risk to a pregnant person and the baby they're carrying is the most serious by far," says Schaffner.
In people who have weakened immune systems and certain blood disorders, parvovirus B19 infection can cause chronic anemia or a severe drop in blood count, per the CDC. These include cancer patients, people with HIV, organ transplant recipients and people with sickle cell disease.
Parvovirus treatmentMost people infected with parvovirus B19 will recover completely on their own, the CDC says. There is no specific treatment or antiviral therapy for parvovirus B19.
Treatment typically focuses on improving symptoms, says Schaffner. These may include over-the-counter pain relievers or fever reducers and supportive care. Patients who develop anemia may receive blood transfusions or other therapies, according to the CDC.
Can pets get parvovirus?Although they share the same name, human parvovirus is different from the type of parvovirus which infects animals, such as dogs, per the Cleveland Clinic. Parvovirus does not spread from people to their pets or vice versa.
Canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2) is a highly contagious virus spread between dogs which can cause severe gastrointestinal illness in puppies, TODAY.Com previously reported.
How to prevent parvovirusThere is no vaccine to prevent parvovirus B19. Following basic hygiene practices and measures to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses can reduce the risk of parvovirus B19 infection, says Schaffner. These include:
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