The Mumps Cuddle Theory

[Guest guest]

Mostly women getting mumps

By Kessler

Daily Progress staff writer

Saturday, November 4, 2006

University of Virginia health officials are a bit puzzled why the

ongoing outbreak of mumps has struck almost entirely women.

Of the 31 cases of probable or confirmed mumps at UVa, 28 have been

in women.

" There is a curiosity in that most of our cases are in females, " said

Dr. C. , executive director of Student Health. " We can't

really say for sure why it's happened that way. "

One theory is that young female students, particularly first-year

undergraduates living in residence halls, have a tendency to, well,

cuddle.

" Apparently it's popular for first-year women to push their beds

together and have movie nights and such, where they'll share pillows,

that kind of thing, " said.

The resulting cuddling might explain the larger percentage of women

contracting mumps, said. But he was quick to point out that

the cuddle theory is but one possible explanation for the gender

disparity.

Dr. Lilian Peake, health director for the Jefferson Health

District, said one partial explanation could be that women tend to

seek health care more than men, so more cases have been picked up

among women.

" The truth is, we simply don't know. But it has been very

interesting, " Peake said.

As of Friday, UVa reported 28 cases of mumps among undergraduates,

although the Health District was still unsure about one of those

cases.

said an undergraduate has also developed viral meningitis, but

is expected to recover. She is being treated for the pain associated

with the condition, which about 1 percent of mumps patients can

develop.

" Usually, it's something that's very painful, but not life-

threatening, " he said of the virus, which is much less severe, in

general, than its potentially deadly bacterial counterpart. The

student is recovering at her apartment in the Charlottesville area.

In addition, for the first time the virus has been diagnosed in

graduate students as well - two now have probable mumps. would

not say which graduate or professional programs the students are

involved in, but the two students are not in the same program.

Also, a member of the UVa staff who works at Student Health

contracted mumps, said, bringing the total at the university

to 31.

All of those infected had been vaccinated. The vaccine, however, is

not 100 percent effective.

At this point, most local sufferers have fully recovered and are no

longer contagious.

As of Friday, three students were still in isolation. The student

with viral meningitis was also still recovering.

said with three students found to have mumps this week,

compared with nine last week, he hopes the outbreak may be slowing

down.

" It would appear it may be [slowing,] I hope that turns out to be

right, " said. " At this point, we're basically collectively

holding our breath. "

Peake said there have been five cases of mumps diagnosed outside of

UVa in the larger Charlottesville community, but those cases have

been only sporadic.

" We're still really talking about a UVa outbreak, and in particular

an undergraduate outbreak, " she said.

Mumps is a virus that can cause fever, aches and swelling of the

glands close to the jaw. Symptoms usually appear between 12 and 25

days after exposure to the virus, and mumps is contagious for three

days before the onset of swelling.

Contact Kessler at (434) 964-5476 or akessler@....

[Guest guest]

They need to get "TV guy" on the case.

The Mumps "Cuddle Theory"

Mostly women getting mumpsBy KesslerDaily Progress staff writerSaturday, November 4, 2006University of Virginia health officials are a bit puzzled why the ongoing outbreak of mumps has struck almost entirely women.Of the 31 cases of probable or confirmed mumps at UVa, 28 have been in women."There is a curiosity in that most of our cases are in females," said Dr. C. , executive director of Student Health. "We can't really say for sure why it's happened that way."One theory is that young female students, particularly first-year undergraduates living in residence halls, have a tendency to, well, cuddle."Apparently it's popular for first-year women to push their beds together and have movie nights and such, where they'll share pillows, that kind of thing," said.The resulting cuddling might explain the larger percentage of women contracting mumps, said. But he was quick to point out that the cuddle theory is but one possible explanation for the gender disparity.Dr. Lilian Peake, health director for the Jefferson Health District, said one partial explanation could be that women tend to seek health care more than men, so more cases have been picked up among women."The truth is, we simply don't know. But it has been very interesting," Peake said.As of Friday, UVa reported 28 cases of mumps among undergraduates, although the Health District was still unsure about one of those cases. said an undergraduate has also developed viral meningitis, but is expected to recover. She is being treated for the pain associated with the condition, which about 1 percent of mumps patients can develop."Usually, it's something that's very painful, but not life-threatening," he said of the virus, which is much less severe, in general, than its potentially deadly bacterial counterpart. The student is recovering at her apartment in the Charlottesville area.In addition, for the first time the virus has been diagnosed in graduate students as well - two now have probable mumps. would not say which graduate or professional programs the students are involved in, but the two students are not in the same program.Also, a member of the UVa staff who works at Student Health contracted mumps, said, bringing the total at the university to 31.All of those infected had been vaccinated. The vaccine, however, is not 100 percent effective.At this point, most local sufferers have fully recovered and are no longer contagious.As of Friday, three students were still in isolation. The student with viral meningitis was also still recovering. said with three students found to have mumps this week, compared with nine last week, he hopes the outbreak may be slowing down."It would appear it may be [slowing,] I hope that turns out to be right," said. "At this point, we're basically collectively holding our breath."Peake said there have been five cases of mumps diagnosed outside of UVa in the larger Charlottesville community, but those cases have been only sporadic."We're still really talking about a UVa outbreak, and in particular an undergraduate outbreak," she said.Mumps is a virus that can cause fever, aches and swelling of the glands close to the jaw. Symptoms usually appear between 12 and 25 days after exposure to the virus, and mumps is contagious for three days before the onset of swelling.Contact Kessler at (434) 964-5476 or akesslerdailyprogress.