Parvo cases increasing in Connecticut children

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is putting out a warning to parents about an increase in parvovirus among children.

In Connecticut, 40% of children between the ages of 5 and 9 are getting the virus, according to Sonya Barrs, who works at Yale New Haven Health’s Pawcatuck office. It’s also known as “fifth disease.”

“It is concerning,” said Brenda Santos, a parent. “I mean we just had, we have COVID, which is also concerning.”

Barrs said the parvovirus is spread by exposure through respiratory droplets, so you are encouraged to keep clean and wash your hands frequently. She said children who catch the illness often get a rash as part of their symptoms.

“They develop a cough, upper respiratory symptoms usually that lasts four or five days, and they get a rash on their cheeks that looks like they’ve been slapped,” Barrs said. “It’s called slap cheek rash.”

Barrs said kids tend to do well with the illness and recover.

She said most people in their late teens have had it and are immune to it, but it can be very dangerous for people who have compromised immune systems. It’s also dangerous for pregnant women.

“Pregnant moms can pass it to the baby and they end up with anemia,” Barrs said. “Pretty significant anemia.”

Barrs said if a pregnant woman is exposed to the parvovirus, she should contact her obstetrician so the baby can be monitored.

“It happens all in utero, and unfortunately it can lead to some pregnancy loss,” Barrs said.

She said to protect others, cover your cough ,and if your child has a respiratory illness, keep them home until they no longer have a fever for about 24 hours to try to prevent the spread to other children and families.

“Kids in school, kids at day care, and all of that are the ones who are most susceptible to it,” Barrs said.

There is no vaccination for the parvovirus, but there is one for whooping cough, which is also affecting a lot of children. That can be more serious for the child but there is an antibiotic which can be used to treat whooping cough. There is no antibiotic treatment for the parvovirus.

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