Answer:

Mumps is caused by a virus in the Paramyxoviridae family. It spreads easily through respiratory droplets when someone comes into contact with saliva or contaminated objects. Your son was in close contact with an infected child, and if he hasn't been vaccinated or previously had mumps, his risk of infection is high.

There is a vaccine for mumps, and you should get your son vaccinated as soon as possible. According to manufacturers' prescribing information, the mumps vaccine can be administered even after exposure to an infected individual.

Vietnam currently offers two combined measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccines for children and adults, which can be administered to children from 9 months of age. Women planning to become pregnant should complete the vaccination schedule three months, or at least one month before conception, depending on the specific vaccine.

In addition to vaccination, watch for symptoms such as swelling around the jaw, accompanied by fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, nausea, and vomiting. If infected, your child needs to isolate at home until recovery to prevent spreading the illness to others. Ensure he eats nutritious meals, stays hydrated, gets enough sleep, and follows the doctor's treatment plan for a quick recovery.

Children without mumps antibodies from vaccination are vulnerable to infection if they come into close contact with the virus. *Image: Vecteezy*

The mouth has the second-largest microbial community after the gut, containing over 700 species of bacteria. Bites can transmit diseases like hepatitis B, herpes, syphilis, tuberculosis, and can introduce tetanus bacteria, often found in soil and dirt, into the wound. In 5/2024, a 49-year-old man in Vietnam experienced hand necrosis after being bitten by a 3-year-old child. In addition to treating the wound, he received a tetanus shot at the Poison Control Center of Bach Mai Hospital.

Wash your son's wound immediately under running water to flush out any debris. Then, use hydrogen peroxide to disinfect the area, remove any remaining dirt or grit, and stop the bleeding. After that, wash the wound with soap, dry it thoroughly, and take him to a vaccination center for a tetanus vaccine and antitoxin consultation.

Hepatitis B and tetanus are also preventable through vaccination. With a complete course of vaccines, further tetanus antitoxin isn't necessary even for deep wounds.

Doctor Nguyen Van Quang

Medical Manager, VNVC Vaccination System

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