Mumps in pregnancy
Mumps, also known as goat peter, is a contagious viral infection that occurs primarily in childhood. Most pregnant women are immune to the mumps virus through a previous illness or vaccination. Sometimes cases of mumps occur during pregnancy, but fortunately they are mostly harmless.
infection with mumps
The mumps virus is transmitted by droplet infection and only affects humans. The incubation period, i.e. the period between infestation and the first symptoms, is usually 16 to 18 days. However, the first signs can also appear a little earlier. Most people know mumps from their childhood or have been vaccinated against the virus. In both cases, the immune system forms appropriate antibodies and protects against (re)infection with mumps. If possible, you should check before your pregnancy whether you have the necessary antibodies against mumps and other contagious viral infections such as measles, rubella or chickenpox and, if necessary, get vaccinated.
symptoms of mumps
The disease often progresses without severe symptoms. The symptoms are similar to those of a normal cold. A sure sign of mumps is the swelling of the parotid glands. The tissue under the ears, directly at the jawline, becomes thick, tense and sensitive to pressure. Chewing and speaking can then be painful. In some cases of mumps, other glandular tissues also respond with inflammation, such as the pancreas.
Complications of mumps in pregnancy
Fortunately, complications from mumps during pregnancy are rare. Infection with mumps in the first trimester of pregnancy carries a slightly increased risk of miscarriage. There are no known complications for mother and child if they become infected afterwards.
Prevention and treatment of mumps in pregnancy
If you have never had mumps and have not been vaccinated against the virus, you should catch up on the vaccination up to about three months before pregnancy. It is vaccinated with a live vaccine that contains a weakened number of pathogens. It is important that you get vaccinated in good time before you become pregnant, as the pathogens pose a risk to you and your child during pregnancy. In cases where the life vaccine was vaccinated during pregnancy, no damage to the children has been found so far, but you are on the safe side with early vaccination protection.
Unfortunately, if you have mumps, only painkillers and antipyretics will help to relieve the symptoms. Therapy with antibiotics would not help with mumps and other viral infections and should better be avoided during pregnancy.