Dr Jide Owolana, a Medical Practitioner, says mumps infection during pregnancy has not been associated with an increased risk of premature delivery or birth defects.
Owolana made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin on Thursday.
He defined mumps as a viral infection that primarily affects saliva-producing (salivary) glands located near the ears.
“Mumps is spread through airborne pathogens and can be very dangerous when contracted during pregnancy.
“Mumps is caused by a myxovirus that infects the parotid glands in the neck (which produce saliva)”.
“The virus is spread by the infected person coughing and sneezing or coming in contact with contaminated items (such as their tissues, drinking glasses or soiled hands).
“Natural mumps infection during pregnancy does not cause birth defects or premature birth.
“However, if the woman has mumps during the first trimester (first 12 weeks of pregnancy), the risk of miscarriage is increased,’’ he said.
According to him, mumps is rare in babies less than 12 months of age, because they gain temporary immunity from their mother.
Owolana said: “Mumps is infectious for one to two days before symptoms start, until about nine days after the swelling appears.
“It usually infects children between the ages of five and 15 years, but can occasionally infect non-immune adults.
“Being infected once, generally provides life-long immunity. Most adults are immune, even if they can’t remember having the illness; as sometime, there are no physical signs or they are very mild.’’
According him, the incubation period for mumps (or the time period from coming in contact with the virus and becoming ill) is about 12 to 28 days, with an average of 18 days.
The medical practitioner said the symptoms include fever, headache, loss of appetite, swollen, tender glands, pain and soreness around the jaw and neck as well as possible abdominal pain and back pain. (NAN)
