What parvovirus is and why it's on the rise

An infectious virus common in children is on the rise in the Tristate. The Cincinnati Health Department is warning of a rise in parvovirus in Hamilton County. It's also known as Fifth disease. The illness can present itself as a rash on the cheeks and is often called “slapped cheek” disease. In kids, experts said it usually runs its course and they're fine, but it can present more serious concerns in pregnant women.

Kara Markham, MD, professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, recently appeared on Cincinnati Edition's 91.7 WVXU  to discuss how parvovirus is transmitted, the risk of fetal complications and how to prevent it. Markham is a maternal-fetal medicine specialist, who treats expectant mothers during high-risk pregnancies. Markham said she has seen several fetal parvovirus cases in the past couple months.

"The problem is that it can cause more serious issues for people who are immunocompromised or individuals who are pregnant," said Markham.

Markham explained parvovirus can cause anemia in a fetus.

"It attacks the baby's bone marrow to shut down production of red blood cells and platelets, and we can actually use ultrasound to screen for anemia," she said. "And if we identify that the baby is anemic, we take a needle, we go through the mom's abdomen, and we insert the needle into, ideally, into the baby's umbilical cord and give the baby a blood transfusion."

Experts remind everyone to use good hygiene to prevent parvovirus. Challenges to preventing parvovirus are that there is no vaccine and it can present with few symptoms. Another challenge is a child is contagious before a rash appears. 

The virus is commonly spread by respiratory droplets through coughing and sneezing and typically becomes more common in the late spring through the summer months.

Listen to the full Cincinnati Edition interview on 91.7 WVXU.

Featured image at top: Provided by iStock.