What is ‘slapped cheek’ virus and its symptoms and treatments?

A virus dubbed the ‘slapped cheek’ disease that has had ‘unusually high numbers of cases’ in Europe is spreading in the US.

‘Current increases’ in human parvovirus B19 activity in America prompted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to issue a health advisory last week.

Public health officials in 14 countries in Europe saw a spike in cases in the first quarter of this year. Though there is no routine surveillance for the virus in the US, the CDC recently received reports indicating increased activity surrounding it.

‘These reports include data from commercial laboratories of increasing parvovirus B19 test positivity by nucleic acid amplification tests and serology in the general population and increased serological evidence of infection in plasma donors,’ stated the CDC.

What is the ‘slapped cheek’ disease?

Parvovirus B19 is a ‘seasonal respiratory virus that is transmitted through respiratory droplets by people with symptomatic or asymptomatic infection’, according to the CDC.

It is considered highly transmissible through respiratory drops, as 50% of susceptible individuals get infected from exposure at home and 20% to 50% of susceptible students and staff become infected at schools.

The virus can also be transmitted from a mother to a fetus during pregnancy and through blood transfusions and plasma derivates.

It is also referred to as fifth disease and erythema infectiosum.

What are symptoms of parvovirus B19?

Children who are immunocompetent and adults who are symptomatic usually start by having a fever, malaise and myalgia about seven days after being infected, and lasting around five days. That is when they have the most respiratory secretions and are most contagious.

About seven to 10 days later, the second phase kicks in with a facial rash, or erythema infectiosum, particularly in children. That is how the disease got its ‘slapped cheek’ nickname. A reticulated body rash or joint pain can follow one to four days later.

‘Typically, the characteristic facial rash does not appear until after viral loads (a measure of infectiousness) have declined,’ stated the CDC.

However, many individuals infected with parvovirus B19 may be asymptomatic.

What are treatments for parvovirus B19?

There is no specific treatment or vaccine for the virus.

The CDC recommends that people who are pregnant and have been exposed to an infected person or show symptoms seek medical care. Those who have a weakened immune system or a chronic hemolytic blood disorder should also seek care.

Wearing a mask can help prevent parvovirus B19 infection.

While the virus got its name from the ‘slapped face’ mark, the CDC stated that ‘children and adults with parvovirus B19 are no longer contagious once the characteristic facial rash appears’.

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