Hamilton County health officials are warning of an outbreak of a parvovirus infection that could be dangerous to unborn babies.The Cincinnati Health Department and Hamilton County Public Health officials say the outbreak was reported by experts at UC Medical Center.Health experts say a parvovirus infection is an illness caused by a virus called parvovirus B19 and is a commonly-encountered virus in the community especially among children.The virus is also known as Fifth Disease.”Outbreaks can happen frequently among school-aged children who may present with a lacy rash (described as a “slapped cheek” appearance when it involves the face) and flu-like symptoms,” said Kara Markham, M.D., Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, in a press release. “Somewhere between 1/3 and 2/3 of pregnant women are not immune to parvovirus at the start of pregnancy and are at risk for infection throughout gestation.” Cincinnati Health commissioner Grant Mussman, M.D., MHSA, says while infections usually cause no symptoms or mild illness—such as flu-like symptoms—individuals with blood disorders or a weakened immune system can experience serious symptoms.The Center for Disease Control and Prevention adds that if a woman gets a parvovirus infection during pregnancy, the virus could spread to the baby.According to the CDC, it is not common, but it could cause a miscarriage.“If a woman is first exposed to parvovirus during pregnancy, the virus can cross the placenta to cause fetal infection,” Markham said. “If this occurs, the virus can temporarily affect the bone marrow of the baby, preventing the baby from producing red blood cells (resulting in anemia) and/or platelets (resulting in thrombocytopenia).”Markham added that it’s estimated severe anemia can occur in up to 10% of babies infected prior to 20 weeks and the condition “may even be severe enough to cause fetal death.”If physicians are aware of the infection and the potential for fetal anemia, Markham says, very close monitoring and treatment can be lifesaving for the baby. Babies who survived will do so without long-term issues, health officials say, saying the key is knowing that the mother is infected so that she can be monitored closely.“As our local doctors have shared, pregnant women in the first half of their pregnancies should let their OB providers know if there is an outbreak of parvovirus in their children’s schools or if any of their children has a red, lacy rash,” said Greg Kesterman, Health Commissioner for Hamilton County Public Health, in a press release.health officials say doctors can obtain blood work to determine if a pregnant woman has been exposed to parvovirus in the past. Those who have been will be immune and their babies will not be at risk.However, for those who have not been exposed, officials say their doctor can arrange ultrasound monitoring for anemia.
Hamilton County health officials are warning of an outbreak of a parvovirus infection that could be dangerous to unborn babies.
The Cincinnati Health Department and Hamilton County Public Health officials say the outbreak was reported by experts at UC Medical Center.
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Health experts say a parvovirus infection is an illness caused by a virus called parvovirus B19 and is a commonly-encountered virus in the community especially among children.
The virus is also known as Fifth Disease.
“Outbreaks can happen frequently among school-aged children who may present with a lacy rash (described as a “slapped cheek” appearance when it involves the face) and flu-like symptoms,” said Kara Markham, M.D., Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, in a press release. “Somewhere between 1/3 and 2/3 of pregnant women are not immune to parvovirus at the start of pregnancy and are at risk for infection throughout gestation.”
Cincinnati Health commissioner Grant Mussman, M.D., MHSA, says while infections usually cause no symptoms or mild illness—such as flu-like symptoms—individuals with blood disorders or a weakened immune system can experience serious symptoms.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention adds that if a woman gets a parvovirus infection during pregnancy, the virus could spread to the baby.
According to the CDC, it is not common, but it could cause a miscarriage.
“If a woman is first exposed to parvovirus during pregnancy, the virus can cross the placenta to cause fetal infection,” Markham said. “If this occurs, the virus can temporarily affect the bone marrow of the baby, preventing the baby from producing red blood cells (resulting in anemia) and/or platelets (resulting in thrombocytopenia).”
Markham added that it’s estimated severe anemia can occur in up to 10% of babies infected prior to 20 weeks and the condition “may even be severe enough to cause fetal death.”
If physicians are aware of the infection and the potential for fetal anemia, Markham says, very close monitoring and treatment can be lifesaving for the baby.
Babies who survived will do so without long-term issues, health officials say, saying the key is knowing that the mother is infected so that she can be monitored closely.
“As our local doctors have shared, pregnant women in the first half of their pregnancies should let their OB providers know if there is an outbreak of parvovirus in their children’s schools or if any of their children has a red, lacy rash,” said Greg Kesterman, Health Commissioner for Hamilton County Public Health, in a press release.
health officials say doctors can obtain blood work to determine if a pregnant woman has been exposed to parvovirus in the past. Those who have been will be immune and their babies will not be at risk.
However, for those who have not been exposed, officials say their doctor can arrange ultrasound monitoring for anemia.
