Beke sa bata raises great concern among parents, mostly since it is thought to cause life-long complications like infertility along with several misconceptions. But what exactly are the facts and myths about mumps in children?
Beke sa bata raises great concern among parents, mostly since it is thought to cause life-long complications like infertility along with several misconceptions. But what exactly are the facts and myths about mumps in children?
The first thing parents need to know is that mumps is contagious. For this reason, kids are highly encouraged to stay away from other people who exhibit symptoms of beke.
People transmit mumps through direct contact with saliva or exposure to droplets from coughing or sneezing. Once infection sets in, one or both of your child’s parotid glands (salivary glands in front of the ears) sustain inflammation. Over time, the inflammation extends under the jaw.
The swelling makes it hard for the child to open their mouth, chew, and swallow.
The tricky thing is that after a child’s exposure to someone with mumps, the symptoms don’t immediately show up, leading parents to believe that their little one didn’t catch the virus.
However, experts point out that kids may only start showing signs and symptoms 2 to 3 weeks after being exposed to the mumps virus. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) also highlights that someone with mumps is contagious a few days before their face starts swelling and about 5 days after.
Below are the common symptoms of beke sa bata:
The next crucial fact is that there is a vaccine against mumps: the Mumps, Measles, and Rubella or MMR vaccine.
According to the DOH Expanded Program on Immunization, babies should receive this vaccine twice: in their 9th and 12th month.
If you notice that your child has already developed beke, it’s best to practice the following steps to prevent infection:
Now that we know about the facts, let’s talk about the myths.
The thought that mumps causes infertility is a myth. The fact is, beke sa bata can lead to complications like swollen testicles and ovaries, but rarely does it lead to infertility.
Other potential complications include:
The treatment for mumps in children doesn’t include blue dye and vinegar. And since mumps is a viral infection, antibiotics will not work.
The moment you notice the symptoms—especially, the swelling in the jaw area—bring your child to the doctor. From their assessment, they will create an appropriate treatment plan for your child’s overall health status and symptoms.
At home, you can:
Although rare, it’s possible for someone who already received the MMR vaccine to still contract mumps, especially during an outbreak. The risk increases if the person didn’t receive both doses.
The good news is the symptoms and complications in people who received the vaccine is less severe than in those who were not vaccinated.
Learn more about the Importance of Immunization here.
Disclaimer
Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
People Are Also Reading This
Comments
Share your thoughts
Be the first to let Hello Doctor know your thoughts!
Join Us or Log In to join the discussion