Health
Parvovirus or ‘slapped cheek disease’ is on the rise, CDC warns: Here’s what to know
A respiratory disease known as parvovirus B19 is on the rise in the U.S. among all age groups, according to a recent advisory from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The CDC issued the health alert on Aug. 13 after European public health authorities reported “unusually” high numbers of cases in 14 countries during the first quarter of 2024, the advisory said.
The virus typically causes a blotchy rash on the cheeks that appears as if someone has slapped them — hence its nickname, “slapped cheek disease.”
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“Parvovirus can be a very mild infection in many people, but if you are pregnant or are immunocompromised in any way, you are at a much greater risk of serious illness,” Dr. Aaron Glatt, chief of infectious diseases at Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital on Long Island, New York, told Fox News Digital.
What is parvovirus B19?
Parvovirus B19 is a virus that can be easily spread by respiratory droplets in the air after an infected person coughs or sneezes, according to the CDC.
A respiratory disease known as parvovirus B19 is on the rise in the U.S. among all age groups, according to a recent advisory from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (iStock)
Children are often infected at school and spread it to other kids through close personal contact, then later to adults when they come home, experts say.
Approximately 50% of people who were not previously infected contract the virus from an infected family member — while 20% to 50% of susceptible students and staff become infected during school outbreaks, the advisory notes.
“The virus is highly contagious and can spread asymptomatically,” Dr. Marc Siegel, senior medical analyst for Fox News and clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center, told Fox News Digital.
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Parvovirus B12 is also known as “fifth disease” because it was previously listed fifth on a list of common childhood viral illnesses that cause rashes, according to Mayo Clinic.
(The top three on this list are measles, rubella and scarlet fever.)
Symptoms of the virus
Many people who get infected don’t have symptoms, but some will experience sickness, according to the advisory.
About a week after an exposure, susceptible children may complain of flu-like symptoms, including fever, muscle pain and fatigue, which generally last less than a week.
People are most contagious in this early phase of the illness.
The virus typically causes a blotchy rash on the cheeks that appears as if someone has slapped them — hence the nickname “slapped cheek disease.” (iStock)
Several days after the fever starts, children often develop the hallmark blotchy “slapped cheek” rash — a helpful clue that health care providers use to diagnose the illness.
People are generally not infectious by the time they develop the rash, experts say.
A fine, “lacy” rash may follow on the chest, back, buttocks, or arms and legs that is sometimes itchy, according to the CDC. It usually goes away in about a week to 10 days.
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Adults are less likely to develop the “slapped cheek” rash. Their most common symptoms are a generalized rash on the body and joint pain that affects the hands, feet and knees.
In some cases, adults only experience joint pain, which usually lasts one to three weeks – although it can last for months. It usually resolves without long-term complications.
Antibodies provide immunity
Antibodies from prior infection help prevent recurrence of parvovirus B12, the CDC said.
“Once infected, you have a lifetime immunity,” Siegel noted.
The largest increase in infections was among children ages 5 to 9.
Most adults in the United States are immune — with 50% having detectable antibody levels by age 20, and more than 70% acquiring them by age 40, per the advisory.
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The share of people who have had a recent infection dropped below 3% between 2022 and 2024, but increased to 10% in June of this year.
The largest increase in infections was among children ages 5 to 9, going from 15% to 40% in that time frame, the health alert noted.
People who work in settings with close contact with children, such as schools and day cares, are at a greater risk of infection.
High-risk populations
Most healthy adults and children only have a mild illness, but people with weakened immune systems, pregnant women and those with chronic blood disorders can develop serious health complications from this virus, according to the CDC.
“Anyone with those conditions should be very quick to seek out medical attention to help address potential complications,” Glatt noted.
Pregnant women who are susceptible to the virus may spread the illness to their babies, the CDC warned. (iStock)
Pregnant women who are susceptible to the virus may spread the illness to their babies, the CDC warned.
“Unfortunately, there is an increased risk of miscarriage if you get parvovirus during pregnancy,” Glatt said.
Parvovirus infection may lead to adverse outcomes — such as severe anemia in the fetus and miscarriage — in 5% to 10% of cases during pregnancy, with the highest risk at between 9 and 20 weeks of fetal gestation, per the advisory.
While parvovirus B19 can affect humans of all ages, only two out of 10 individuals will have physical symptoms. (iStock)
“There is an increased risk of complications in patients with significant immunocompromising conditions, such as those who have leukemia, have received an organ transplant or have an HIV infection,” Glatt added.
Since most adults are immune to the virus, however, many pregnant women are protected from the virus, the CDC noted.
Treatment is mainly ‘supportive care’
Infected pregnant women primarily receive supportive care, which means treating the underlying symptoms and monitoring for severe fetal anemia, according to the advisory.
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People with weakened immune systems or those with chronic blood disorders can sometimes develop bone marrow failure as a result of the virus, the advisory added.
In that case, treatment often includes blood cell transfusions and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG).
People are generally not infectious by the time they develop the rash, experts say. (iStock)
(IVIG is a collection of antibodies that strengthens the immune system, according to Mayo Clinic’s website.)
There is currently no vaccine to prevent parvovirus B19, and most people infected with the virus will recover without any long-term complications.
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“While there is no specific treatment for parvovirus infection, recognizing the complications and addressing them early may be of benefit,” Glatt added.
Hand-washing can also help to prevent transmission, according to Siegel.
Welcome to Day 2 of the Brain Health Challenge. Today, we’re talking about food.
Your brain is an energy hog. Despite comprising about 2 percent of the average person’s body mass, it consumes roughly 20 percent of the body’s energy. In other words, what you use to fuel yourself matters for brain health.
So what foods are best for your brain?
In a nine-year study of nearly 1,000 older adults, researchers at Rush University in Chicago found that people who ate more of nine particular types of food — berries, leafy greens, other vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts, fish, poultry and olive oil — and who ate less red meat, butter and margarine, cheese, sweet treats and fried food had slower cognitive decline.
Based on these findings, the researchers developed the MIND diet.
Large studies encompassing thousands of people have since shown that following the MIND diet corresponds with better cognitive functioning, a lower risk of dementia and slower disease progression in people with Alzheimer’s. People benefit from the diet regardless of whether they start it in midlife or late life.
Experts think the foods included in the MIND diet are especially good for the brain because they contain certain macro and micronutrients.
Berries and leafy greens, for example, are rich in polyphenols and other antioxidants, said Jennifer Ventrelle, a dietitian at Rush and a co-author of “The Official Mind Diet.” Many of these compounds can cross the blood-brain barrier and help to fight inflammation and oxidative stress, both of which can damage cells and are linked to dementia.
Nuts and fatty fishes, like salmon and sardines, contain omega-3 fatty acids, which are important for building the insulating sheaths that surround the nerve fibers that carry information from one brain cell to another.
Whole grains and beans both contain a hefty dose of fiber, which feeds the good microbes in the gut. Those microbes produce byproducts called short-chain fatty acids that experts think can influence brain health via the gut-brain axis.
You don’t have to revamp your whole diet to get these nutrients. Instead, think about “MIND-ifying” whatever you already tend to eat, said Dr. Joel Salinas, a neurologist at NYU Langone Health and the founder and chief medical officer of the telehealth platform Isaac Health. For instance, add a handful of nuts or berries to your breakfast.
Today’s activity will help you MIND-ify your own meals. Share your choices with your accountability partner and in the comments, and I’ll discuss the ways I’m adjusting my diet, too. For added inspiration, check out these MIND-approved recipes from New York Times Cooking.
Health
Measles outbreak explodes in South Carolina; multiple people hospitalized as cases surpass 200
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The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) is sounding the alarm after 26 new measles cases were reported since Friday, bringing the total number of cases in the state’s latest outbreak to 211.
DPH first reported a measles outbreak Oct. 2 in the Upstate region. As of Tuesday, 144 people are in quarantine and seven people are in isolation.
Of the 211 cases, 45 involve children under 5, 143 cases involve children ages 5 to 17, 17 cases involve adults and six cases involve minors whose ages weren’t disclosed.
DPH said 196 of the 211 infected individuals were unvaccinated, four were partially vaccinated, one was vaccinated and 10 are either still being investigated or have an unknown vaccination status.
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Hundreds of people in South Carolina have contracted the measles, and a few have been hospitalized. (Jan Sonnenmair/Getty Images)
Officials said 19 of the new cases were associated with “exposures in known households and previously reported school exposures,” and four resulted from church exposures.
DPH identified public exposures at Sugar Ridge Elementary and Boiling Springs Elementary and began notifying potentially exposed students, faculty and staff Dec. 31.
There are nine students in quarantine from the two schools.
Of the 211 cases, 45 involve children under 5 years old. (iStock)
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Exposures also happened at the Tabernacle of Salvation Church, Unitarian Universalist Church of Spartanburg, Slavic Pentecostal Church of Spartanburg and Ark of Salvation Church.
The source of one case is unknown, while two others are still being investigated.
Although complications from measles are not reportable, officials said four people, including adults and children, required hospitalization for complications from the disease.
Officials recommend all children be vaccinated against measles. (Raquel Natalicchio/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images)
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Additional cases required medical care, but the infected individuals were not hospitalized.
Those infected with measles are contagious from four days before the rash appears and may be unaware they can spread measles before they know they have the disease, according to DPH.
DPH said it is important for those with a mild illness or those who are in quarantine to stay home to protect others.
“We encourage employers to support workers in following DPH recommendations to stay out of work while ill or in quarantine, which also protects businesses, other workers and clients,” officials wrote in a statement.
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DPH said vaccinations continue to be the best way to prevent measles and stop the outbreak.
Though the CDC recently released new vaccine recommendations under Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., its guidelines still dictate all children should be immunized for measles, mumps, rubella, polio, pertussis, tetanus, diphtheria, Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib), pneumococcal disease, human papillomavirus (HPV) and chickenpox.
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Many might assume that over-the-counter (OTC) medications are generally safer than stronger prescription drugs, but research shows they can still present risks for some.
Certain common OTC painkillers have been linked to an increased risk of high blood pressure, stroke and heart attacks.
Potential risk of NSAIDs
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) — which are used to reduce pain, fever and inflammation — have been pinpointed as the class of medicines most linked to elevated cardiovascular risk.
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“This is because they reduce the production of certain chemicals called prostaglandins,” Maryam Jowza, M.D., an anesthesiologist at UNC Health in North Carolina, told Fox News Digital. “These chemicals are involved in inflammation, but they are also involved in other body functions, such as influencing the tone of blood vessels.”
Certain common OTC painkillers have been linked to an increased risk of high blood pressure, stroke and heart attacks. (iStock)
Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, echoed the potential risk of NSAIDs.
“They can lead to high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke via fluid retention and salt retention,” he told Fox News Digital. “This increases volume, puts a strain on the heart and raises blood pressure.”
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Common examples of NSAIDs include ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin, diclofenac, indomethacin and celecoxib.
Randomized trials found that ibuprofen caused the biggest spikes in blood pressure, followed by naproxen and then celecoxib.
“In general, the increase in blood pressure is more likely with higher doses and longer duration of treatment,” said Jowza, who is also an associate professor in the Department of Anesthesiology at the UNC School of Medicine.
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NSAIDs can also increase stroke risk, especially at high doses and with long-term use, the doctor added.
Diclofenac was linked to the highest cardiovascular risk, the doctor cautioned. Ibuprofen can also raise blood pressure and has been associated with a higher heart attack and stroke risk, but not as high as diclofenac. Naproxen carries a lower cardiovascular risk than ibuprofen or diclofenac, but is not entirely risk-free.
NSAIDs have been pinpointed as the class of medicines most linked to elevated cardiovascular risk. (iStock)
“The practical takeaway is that diclofenac is generally the least favorable choice in patients with elevated cardiovascular risk, and all NSAIDs should be used at the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration,” Dr. Nayan Patel, pharmacist and founder of Auro Wellness in Southern California, told Fox News Digital.
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Aspirin is an exception — although it is an NSAID, it actually reduces the risk of clots when taken at a low dose for prevention, under a doctor’s guidance. However, it can increase bleeding risk and blood pressure at high doses.
Non-NSAIDs safer, but not risk-free
Non-NSAID pain relievers are commonly used for everyday aches, headaches and fever, but not swelling. They act mainly on the brain’s pain signals, not inflammation, according to medical experts.
Acetaminophen, the most common non-NSAID pain reliever, is also linked to an increase in blood pressure, although to a lesser extent, according to Jowza.
“All NSAIDs should be used at the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration.”
“Acetaminophen was once thought to have little to no cardiovascular effects, but more recent evidence suggests it can increase blood pressure, especially with higher doses used in the long term,” she said, emphasizing the importance of blood pressure monitoring. “Its effect on stroke risk is less clear.”
Which groups are most vulnerable?
The groups at greatest risk, according to doctors, are those with existing health conditions, such as high blood pressure, prior stroke or heart disease, diabetes or kidney problems.
“These groups are also more likely to experience NSAID-related fluid retention and destabilization of blood pressure control,” Patel said.
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Cardiovascular risk is generally higher for people 75 and older, the doctors agreed.
“Age amplifies risk largely because baseline cardiovascular risk increases with age, and kidney function reserve tends to decline,” Patel said. “Older adults are also more likely to be on antihypertensives, diuretics, antiplatelets or anticoagulants, so NSAIDs can destabilize blood pressure control and add safety complexity.”
Warning signs
Anyone experiencing chest pain, shortness of breath, sudden weakness or numbness, severe headache, confusion, slurred speech or vision changes should see a doctor immediately, Jowza advised.
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“These symptoms can point to a heart attack or stroke,” she warned. “Other symptoms of concern that may not develop as rapidly, like new swelling in the legs, should also prompt medical attention.”
Anyone experiencing chest pain, shortness of breath, sudden weakness or numbness, severe headache, confusion, slurred speech or vision changes should see a doctor immediately, a doctor advised. (iStock)
“Patients should also seek medical advice if they notice signs of fluid retention or kidney stress, such as rapidly rising blood pressure, swelling in the legs, sudden weight gain over a few days, reduced urine output or worsening shortness of breath,” Patel added.
Safer alternatives
For those at higher risk, Patel recommends non-NSAID approaches whenever possible.
“For many patients, this means starting with non-drug strategies such as heat or ice, physical therapy and activity modification,” he told Fox News Digital. “If medication is needed, acetaminophen is generally preferred over oral NSAIDs from a cardiovascular standpoint, although regular use should still be monitored in people with hypertension.”
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For localized joint or muscle pain, the doctor said topical NSAIDs can offer “meaningful relief” with “far lower” risk.
“Overall, pain management in high-risk patients should emphasize targeted therapy, conservative dosing and close blood pressure monitoring.”
Bottom line
The doctors emphasized that the overall risk is “very low” for people taking OTC pain relievers on a short-term basis, but it rises with long-term, high-dose use.
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“I would not hesitate to use an occasional dose if it were a low-risk individual with no prior history of heart attack or stroke,” Jowza said. “I also think short-term use in diabetics and hypertensives who are well-controlled is acceptable.”
Although aspirin is an NSAID, it actually reduces the risk of clots when taken at a low dose for prevention, under a doctor’s guidance. (iStock)
For those taking NSAIDs, the doctor suggested using “guard rails” — such as regularly testing blood pressure and kidney function, and setting limits on dosing — to make treatment as safe as possible.
Patel agreed that for most healthy individuals, occasional NSAID use “does not carry a meaningful cardiovascular risk.”
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“The concern is primarily with repeated or chronic use, higher doses, and use in people with underlying cardiovascular, kidney or blood pressure conditions,” he confirmed to Fox News Digital.
“That said, large population studies show that cardiovascular events can occur early after starting NSAIDs, particularly at higher doses, which is why even short-term use should be approached cautiously in higher-risk patients.”
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