Back to school also means the return of seasonal viruses.
And as families prepare their children for new classes and routines, they should also consider ways to protect them from the inevitable uptick in supergerms.
“As we head into the colder months, we’re expecting to see the usual spike in respiratory viruses like flu, COVID and RSV. Parvovirus B19, which has been around for a long time, also seems to have had a comeback,” said Kay Leopold, M.D., pediatric infectious diseases physician at University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital.
“The good news is we have great tools to help reduce young people’s risks of getting severely sick from these illnesses. But it’s also a good time to remind kids to be conscious of hygiene habits we know prevent the spreading of germs as they get back to close-knit environments at school.”
Leopold shares more about what infectious disease experts expect to see with viruses this season, what’s new with vaccinations and steps parents can take to keep children as healthy as possible.
Parvovirus B19 or “slapped cheek disease”
A respiratory seasonal virus called parvovirus B19 has been on the rise in the United States, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
It’s sometimes called “fifth disease” because it’s part of a group of childhood illnesses that cause rashes, Leopold says.
Classic symptoms usually come in two parts.
The first stage may involve fever, body aches, weakness and fatigue, which last for a few days and mark the most contagious window.
About a week later, kids may classically also get a red rash on their face that looks like a “slapped cheek” or a lacy looking rash on their arms and legs.
By the time the rash appears, Leopold notes, they have likely passed the contagious period.
Most people get the virus only once during childhood.
“The antibodies people get after an infection should be preventative against reinfections,” she said. “Similar to viruses like measles, once you get it, it’s highly unlikely that you’d get it again in the future.”
While kids often experience minor symptoms, there are rare cases of severe disease, such as associated myocarditis that causes inflammation and weakness of the heart muscle, or hepatitis, which leads to inflammation in the liver.
The two highest risk groups are pregnant people and patients with blood diseases.
Doctors have reported unusual numbers of parvovirus-related complications among the two high risk populations this year.
“People who are at higher risk for severe disease should talk to their doctors if they’ve been exposed to the virus or have symptoms,” Leopold said.
Parvovirus B19 is spread through respiratory droplets just like the common cold, so the best prevention strategies include regular hand washing, covering mouths when coughing or sneezing, disposing of tissues promptly and not sharing food or drinks, she says.
