The US Centers for Disease Control has issued a health advisory regarding an alarming increase in parvovirus B19 cases. Childhood sickness — also known as Fifth Disease or “slapped cheek” disease because it causes telltale red cheeks — can be especially dangerous for pregnant women, the agency says.
The CDC looked at people with IgM antibodies, which indicate recent infection, and shared that children ages 5-9 saw the biggest increase, from “15% during 2022-2024 to 40% in June 2024.”
Among all age groups, the presence of antibodies increased from 3% during 2022–2024 to 10% in June 2024.
Stock image of a pregnant woman.
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Parvovirus B19 is “highly transmissible by respiratory droplets,” the CDC says. About a week after exposure, symptoms including fever and weakness may develop.
In the second week, a telltale rash appears on the face – which has given the virus its nickname “slapped cheek” – and can be accompanied by body aches.
While most people need only supportive care, pregnant women are at risk of “adverse fetal outcome,” which the agency says includes fetal anemia, non-immune hydrops (which can stress the heart) or fetal loss.
The risk is greatest if a pregnant woman contracts parvovirus between the 9th and 20th week.
Springfield, Ill., teacher Abby Parks was 18 weeks pregnant when she contracted parvovirus B19 — which caused her fetus to develop anemia, NBC News reported.
She was hospitalized and received a blood transfusion, and she stated, “I think it was life-saving for the fetus.”
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A picture of a red-cheeked child.
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“Because if that anemia had continued, with that low blood count, the baby could have died.”
Parks is not alone, as the CDC notes that they have received reports from clinicians who have seen “a higher than expected number” of pregnant women with parvovirus B19.
Those reports, the agency says, include “cases that resulted in severe fetal anemia requiring fetal transfusions or pregnancy loss.”
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The agency warns that you should seek medical attention if you are pregnant and have been exposed to parvovirus B19 – but adds that once the characteristic facial rash appears, the patient is no longer contagious.
Parks, now 30 weeks along, says she and her fetus are being closely monitored — calling the illness “really the hardest experience to go through.”
“She’s not guaranteed to survive fetal anemia.”
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education