What is 'Slapped Cheek' Disease? Everything you need to know about this rising respiratory virus
Parvovirus infection, commonly known as 'slapped-cheek disease', is a highly contagious and common disease, especially in people with weakened immune systems. Here are the signs, symptoms and precautions to manage this seasonal ailment.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a health advisory due to an increase in cases of parvovirus B19. According to the CDC, parvovirus B19 is a seasonal respiratory virus that is spread by respiratory droplets from individuals who are either asymptomatic or asymptomatic. Continue reading to know more about this virus.
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What is Parvovirus?
Parvovirus infection, commonly known as 'slapped-cheek disease', is a highly contagious and common disease in children. 'Slapped-cheek' is the characteristic facial rash associated with this condition. Also, parvovirus infection is sometimes called the 'fifth disease' because it was historically listed as the fifth disease in a series of common childhood illnesses in which a rash or rash occurs.
Causes and symptoms
Parvovirus B19 is widely transmitted through respiratory droplets. In fact, 50 percent of vulnerable people become infected after 'household contact', with about 20-50 percent of students infected through close contact at school. In fact, it can also be transmitted through 'transfusion of blood components' and some 'plasma derivatives'.
Early signs and symptoms of parvovirus infection are different in children than in adults. A child may experience fever, upset stomach, runny nose, headache, and a specific rash on the face (bright red, appearing on both cheeks).
On the other hand, adults usually do not develop a rash on the cheeks. Instead, they may develop joint pain that can last for weeks. The wrists, hands, knees and ankles are the most commonly affected areas of the body.
Caution
According to the CDC, here are the following precautions that people should consider.
- Learn about the symptoms and serious risk factors associated with Parvovirus B19.
- Pregnant women with confirmed parvovirus B19 infection should seek immediate medical attention.
- Also, people with weakened immune systems, such as sickle cell disease, thalassemia, parvovirus B19 should consult a doctor.
- People at risk of serious infection should wear masks around others. Once the rash appears on the face, children and adults with this infection are no longer considered contagious.
