Doctors warn of 'B-19' respiratory illness on the rise in metro Atlanta

ATLANTA - Metro Atlanta doctors are raising concerns about an uptick in cases of human parvovirus B-19, a respiratory illness that could pose significant risks for people with sickle cell disease or compromised immune systems. 

A recent study published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlights these concerns.

The CDC, headquartered in Atlanta, found that cases of human parvovirus B-19 are on the rise. 

The virus, which has been around for years, is now causing more severe complications in vulnerable populations, including children with sickle cell anemia.

"It's something that's always there," Dr. Cecil Bennett of Newnan Family Medicine said. "Unfortunately, this year there seems to be more cases, and it's really affecting patients who have sickle cell anemia."

While most people infected with B-19 recover on their own, Dr. Bennett noted that children with sickle cell disease face more serious complications.

"It can cause aplastic anemia, where the virus actually wipes out the entire bone marrow of the child," he said. "It can cause a chest pain crisis. It can also cause severe joint pain."

The CDC study revealed that Children's Healthcare of Atlanta experienced a sharp increase in severe anemia cases linked to B-19 within the past year—three times the annual case rate of the previous 14 years. Dr. Bennett emphasized that these complications could keep children with compromised immune systems out of school for weeks.

"It's critical that children who have sickle cell anemia are protected from this virus by wearing masks in public and by avoiding public areas," Dr. Bennett advised.

Georgia has one of the highest rates of sickle cell disease in the country, a condition that primarily affects people of African ancestry. Dr. Bennett, who has been involved in developing a drug to alleviate symptoms, expressed hope for a new treatment.

"Now that there are very few treatment options, we hope to go to phase three trial very shortly and bring the drug to market," he said.

Sickle cell patients who contract B-19 usually recover fully after receiving treatment. However, without intervention, the virus could become life-threatening. Symptoms of B-19 resemble other respiratory illnesses, such as coughing and a runny nose, making early detection critical.