Slap virus cases are increasing, what is it?
May cause fever, malaise, or runny nosebut its most characteristic symptom, without doubt, is a reddish rash that appears on the cheeks. This is where this virus, parvovirus B19, gets its name. This is a redness that resembles a slap in the face and can spread to other parts of the body. Sometimes itching may occur.
A priori, this is usually not serious and is not new, but what is striking this year is the increase in cases recorded in some pediatric departments. This is the case with A Coruña and other areas of Galicia.
Some pediatricians record up to 4 cases per day.
Spring is the “preferred” time for this virus. As the first days arrive, the heat tends to spread, so we can say that the season has arrived. Although it is true that it has not been the warmest spring in Galicia, contacts in schools and kindergartens have completed the work. “When the girl and I went to the pediatrician, we were told that there were many cases,” explains the mother.
What is happening in Galicia is not a strange situation, considering that the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has also reported an increase in reported cases of parvovirus B19. “Your attention is drawn to the appearance of red spots, but the girl passed them without any complications.” This is the testimony of one family, but it may also be the testimony of the majority.
Once the spots appear, they are no longer contagious.
The incubation period of this virus This is relatively long. Besides the fact that it is very changeable. It can last from five days to two weeks and worsens several days before the skin spots appear. Hence the speed of its transmission.
This may produce a few tenths of a fever telling us that something is wrong, but in many cases it’s not even that. The mucus that occurs in babies at any time, the tiredness typical of finishing school, and the discomfort that is all too variable often go unnoticed. By the time spots appear, the virus has stopped infecting, so isolation is pointless.
Treatment focuses only on symptoms. Analgesics if there is discomfort, and antihistamines if the spots are itchy. Besides, as they say, “you have to get over it.”
Follow us on our whatsapp channel and don’t miss the latest news and all the news from the site anten3noticias.com