Why is mumps more prevalent in winter and spring?

Hello, that's a great question. Indeed, every year when the weather turns cold, mumps seems to make an agreed-upon appearance, especially in places with many children (like schools and kindergartens). There are actually several factors at play behind this; let me break them down for you:

1. The Virus Itself Prefers the Cold

The mumps virus, much like many respiratory viruses (e.g., influenza virus), thrives and survives longer in cold, dry air.

• Think of it this way: It's similar to how some foods stay fresh longer in a refrigerator. When an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks, the virus is expelled in droplets. In summer, these droplets quickly become inactive or settle in the hot, humid air. However, in winter and spring, these tiny droplets can 'float' longer and travel further in the cold air, significantly increasing the chances of others coming into contact with the virus.

2. Our Behavior Creates a 'Fast Lane' for the Virus

When the weather gets cold, everyone's behavior patterns change:

• Increased Indoor Activities: No one wants to stay out in the cold wind, so we spend most of our time huddled indoors in places like classrooms, offices, buses, and shopping malls.
• Closed Doors and Windows: To stay warm, ventilation becomes a major issue. A confined, crowded, and poorly ventilated environment is practically a 'paradise' for virus transmission. As soon as one person is infected, the virus can easily spread throughout the space, infecting others.

Therefore, it's not that winter and spring 'produce' the virus; rather, our lifestyle habits during this season inadvertently hit the 'accelerator' for virus transmission.

3. Our Body's Immunity Might Be 'Hibernating'

During winter and spring, our physical condition might also not be at its best:

• Climate Fluctuations: Erratic temperature changes (hot and cold) can easily lead to catching a cold, temporarily lowering our body's resistance.
• Reduced Sunlight Exposure: Less sun exposure means reduced synthesis of Vitamin D in the body, and Vitamin D is crucial for maintaining normal immune function.
• Dry Respiratory Mucosa: Cold, dry air can also dry out the mucous membranes in our nose and throat. This layer of mucous membrane is our first line of defense against pathogen invasion, and once it dries out, its defensive capability decreases.

In Summary

Simply put, there are three main points:

1. More Resilient Virus: It survives longer in the cold air of winter and spring.
2. Conducive Environment: We are all crowded indoors with poor ventilation, making it easy for the virus to 'visit' others.
3. More Vulnerable Selves: Our body's immune defenses might not be as strong.

When these 'accomplices' come together, it leads to mumps being more prevalent during the winter and spring seasons. Therefore, frequent handwashing, good ventilation, regular exercise, and most importantly—timely vaccination—are the most effective ways to prevent mumps.