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A respiratory virus that we haven’t see much of over the past few years is now spreading rapidly in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a health alert earlier this week about a jump in cases of parvovirus B19, a.k.a. fifth disease.
Parvovirus is more common in children, but the CDC’s alert says that the organization has received reports of higher-than-usual counts in pregnant people, which can lead to serious complications.
But what is parvovirus and how concerned about this should you be? Here’s the deal—and how you should protect yourself, according to doctors.
Meet the Expert: Thomas Russo, MD, professor and chief of infectious disease at the University at Buffalo in New York.
What are parvovirus symptoms?
A parvovirus B19 infection usually causes no symptoms or a relatively mild illness, like flu-like symptoms, rashes, and joint pains, the CDC says. These are the biggest symptoms to have on your radar, per the CDC:
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Fever
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Headache
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Cough
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Sore throat
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Rashes
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Joint pain
The rash has a distinct look. “It has a ‘slapped cheek’ appearance,” says Thomas Russo, MD, professor and chief of infectious disease at the University at Buffalo in New York—meaning watch out for redness.
Children infected with parvovirus will typically have fever and respiratory symptoms, followed by a red rash on the cheeks, then a rash on the rest of the body. The rash typically disappears in seven to 10 days; someone with fifth disease is no longer contagious once the rash appears, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Adults may experience symptoms like joint soreness, according to the organization.
What is fifth disease?
Fifth disease is another name for parvovirus B19. “About 50 percent of people will get it by the time they’re 20,” Russo says. You develop antibodies and immunity to fifth disease once you’ve had it, which can protect you in adulthood, he adds.
But if you haven’t had the disease, you can be susceptible to it as an adult. It’s especially dangerous for pregnant people, who can develop some serious complications.
Fifth disease is likely increasing now due to fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, Russo says.
“When we had decreased personal interactions during the pandemic, a cohort of individuals that would have gotten infected and developed immunity under normal circumstances were not infected,” Russo says. “So, the susceptibility pool has increased.”
How contagious is fifth disease?
Fifth disease is pretty contagious. It’s spread by respiratory droplets, per the CDC. So, the condition can be spread when someone who has fifth disease coughs or sneezes on you. You could also get it when respiratory droplets get on an object and you touch it before touching your mouth, nose, or eyes with unwashed hands, Russo explains.
The CDC adds that fifth disease is “highly transmissible.”
What are the complications of fifth disease?
Most people who have fifth disease recover just fine with no complications, but Russo points out that certain groups are more vulnerable to complications than others.
Fifth disease can cause anemia—a severe drop in blood cell count—in people with a weakened immune system or those with certain blood disorders, per the CDC. In pregnant people, the infection could spread to the baby. “It can cross the placenta and cause severe anemia in the fetus, causing fatal outcomes,” Russo says.
Worth noting: The CDC says they’ve received reports of higher-than-expected fifth disease cases in pregnant people, along with complications like severe anemia in fetuses and miscarriage. The organization stresses that this is not common, but it can happen.
How is it treated and how can I prevent it?
There is no set treatment for fifth disease, although there is a transfusion therapy that may be helpful for people who are high risk of complications, Russo says.
For most people, it’s recommended that you treat the symptoms by doing things like taking acetaminophen for fever and drinking plenty of fluids.
There’s no vaccine to protect against fifth disease, but Russo says that practicing health hand hygiene and avoiding people who are obviously sick can help lower your risk. If you’re expecting and around a lot of little kids, a mask could be a good idea, too, he adds.
Stay safe out there!
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