Question
What about parotitis caused by the mumps virus? Can a mother with parotitis continue to breastfeed her child?
Answer
Parotitis is a contagious disease caused by the mumps virus. If a mother with parotitis continues to breastfeed, there is a risk of infecting the baby, which could threaten the child’s health. Therefore, it is advisable to suspend breastfeeding during the illness and provide the baby with preventive medication. Individuals with mumps typically gain lifelong immunity after one infection, but some may have lower antibody levels and could still be reinfected. The mumps vaccine is suitable for people over 8 months old who are susceptible to the disease. Children who have had mumps but have insufficient antibody levels can still receive the vaccine to boost their immunity.