Mumps, some advice needed, please

[dinny]

Hello, a 13-month-old boy in the creche ds (9.5 months) goes to has caught mumps. DS and him are friends and often play closely together. So, is ds likely to get it as well? Quite worried now!
btw, he still breastfeeds 5-ish times a day (and I have had mumps) - will this help?

[Jimjams]

mumps is often so mild in young chldren that is passes unoticed. It's more of a problem in adults. If you had mumps and especially as you're still bfeeding if he does get it its likely to be a mild dose.

[dinny]

thanks, Jimjams - the mum of the 13-month-old who has it said she only noticed as his testicles were swollen (and he had a fever).
if it's a mild dose, would ds have lifelong immunity then?

[dinny]

anyone else know of any mumps around at the moment?

[nooka]

There is a lot of mumps around at the moment as a result of the drop in MMR uptake. But it depends where you live (rates lower in some areas than others)

[Jimjams]

yep lifelong- there are a lot of viruses around mimicing mumps as well. I thought ds1 had it (rather hoped he had tbh as it would have been done and dusted, and I thought the baby would probably escape mumps but not necessarily a general virus) but it tuurned out just to be some viral thing.

[Twiglett]

I would love my children to catch mumps personally at least then I'd know they'd have life-long immunity

[dinny]

am in south London, Nooka.

did cross my mind as to how the diagnosis of mumps was made as the little boy has such few symptoms, Jimjams.

Twiglett, agree totally - I've had mumps and hope my immunity will protect ds now. it's crazy that those vaccinated won't offer the same protection to their babies, isn't it?

does anyone know if mumps and measles are more prevalant in winter or summer? or if the season is irrelevant...?
thanks again, Dinny

[Stilltrue]

I know 2 young adults who've had mumps in the last fortnight; ages 20/21.
Maybe a lot of viral illnesses flare up in early summer? Can a doctor advise? Certainly my 3 eldest all had chickenpox, in separate years, during June. Went round their nurseries like wildfire. also ds1 had slapped cheek disease (parvo virus) in June.

[nooka]

There have been recent outbreaks of mumps in South London. MMR rates are currently only just over 60% , and I think it needs to be over 80% for herd immunity (the single jabs for mumps are also pretty ineffective). However it tends to be the teenages and students who have it badly. So you probably don't need to worry too much even if your little one does get it.

Here's a link to a Health Protection Agency sheet (bit old, but I don't suppose much has changed).
here

[dinny]

thanks, Nooka.