Mumps contagion source

Q: 28 years old internal medical intern while rotating ICU during January month developed 'Mumps' like symptoms. His newborn 12-week-old infant had similar symptoms about 2 weeks ago. He believes he may have contracted mumps from his newborn child. His suspicion must be right as the child has not received vaccination yet and the timeline fits the clinical scenario?

A) Yes

B) No

Answer: B

Mumps is very unlikely to develop in infants less than one year of age because they are protected via maternal antibodies. It is recommended that children get two doses of MMR vaccine, starting with the first dose at 12 through 15 months of age, and the second dose at 4 through 6 years of age.

Mumps typically occurs from the late winter to early spring, though outbreaks can occur any time of the year. Symptoms of Mumps are usually self-limited in an immunocompetent individual, although it is highly infectious. It is transmitted by respiratory droplets, direct contact, or fomites. It should be remembered that the highest rate of infectivity is present immediately preceding the onset of parotitis. Other usual symptoms are fever, headache, myalgia, fatigue, and anorexia.

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References:

1. Hviid A, Rubin S, Mühlemann K. Mumps. Lancet 2008; 371:932.

2. Sato H, Albrecht P, Reynolds DW, Stagno S, Ennis FA. Transfer of measles, mumps, and rubella antibodies from mother to infant. Its effect on measles, mumps, and rubella immunization. Am J Dis Child. 1979 Dec;133(12):1240-3. doi: 10.1001/archpedi.1979.02130120032005. PMID: 229727.

3. Muthiah N, Galagoda G, Handunnetti S, Peiris S, Pathirana S. Dynamics of maternally transferred antibodies against measles, mumps, and rubella in infants in Sri Lanka. Int J Infect Dis. 2021 Jun;107:129-134. doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2021.04.002. Epub 2021 Apr 22. PMID: 33895406.