United States: Parvovirus B19, a virus that usually affects breathing, is making a comeback in the United States. Recently, the number of people testing positive for this virus has gone up.
As reported by health-Day, In June 2024, about 10% of people had antibodies showing they were recently infected, which is a big jump from just 3% between 2022 and 2024. Kids between 5 and 9 years old have been especially affected, with infection rates going from 15% to 40% by June 2024. Health officials are basically keeping a close watch on this virus to keep people safe.
Global Surge and Impact on Vulnerable Populations
US is not the only country experiencing a surge in the parvovirus cases in the month of June and the European Center for the Disease Prevention and Control reported that unusually high numbers of the parvovirus cases in 14 European countries during the first quarter of this year.
As this particular respiratory which is spreading nowdays, social distancing measures that actually aimed to slow the spread of COVID during the pandemic also dramatically lowered the parvovirus B19 infection rates.
The CDC has already noted and it has also received reports of the higher-than-expected case counts among the pregnant people which includes the complications such as severe and very serious fatal anemia or miscarriage and increase in the life-threatening type of anemia in the people with sickle cell disease.
Symptoms and Potential Complications
Common signs of parvovirus B19 infection can be experienced including fever, headache, fusion of the joints and muscle pains, vomiting and general body aches.
Some persons show no symptoms but those who get sick can experience two phases of the illness the CDC pointed out. Symptoms in the first phase which starts about a week after infection include, fever, muscle ache and general body weakness which lasts for about five days. This is the time people are most infectious.
In the second phase of a disease, children start developing a fever and a facial rash, then a body rash or joint pain. Some maladies are common among adults; they can have a rash on the trunk and joint pain.
Prevention and Care Recommendations
But for some folks, parvovirus can cause severe complications: Aplastic anemia is a very serious and rare blood disease and people with sickle cell disease or people with very weak immune systems may get it. In pregnant people, 5-10 percent of cases can lead to anemia, hydrops fetalis or a miscarriage.
To date, there is no vaccine for parvovirus and therefore no specific treatment is recommended the CDC notes. Fortunately, the majority of the infections are mild and can be managed with support and care only.
A report on the recommended steps by CDC explain that people should maintain personal hygiene that would reduce the spread of such illnesses including washing of hands and surface regular disinfection and covering mouth when one is coughing or sneezing.
If you get sick, avoid others until your symptoms disappear, and your fever is gone for at least 24 hours without drugs.