As a mumps outbreak dies down with six fewer new cases last week than the week before, a notable trend in probable cases has become clear -- 28 out of the 31 reported cases have afflicted females.
The high percentage of female infection has not surprised Lilian Peake, director of the Thomas Jefferson Health District.
"That [ratio] has been consistent with what they've found in the larger outbreak in the Midwest that occurred last year," Peake said.
Fourth-year College student Erin Levin, a mumps patient, said she was grateful that few men were afflicted with mumps.
"I feel that's very fortunate that's the case," Levin said. "For guys it's definitely worse because if their testicles swell they can become infertile."
The outbreak a year ago also predominantly afflicted women, but a reason for the skewed ratio was never discovered.
"I don't know why it's occurring here," Peake said.
Peake said one possible reason for the trend was that women were more likely to seek healthcare help than men were.
Levin said that might be true, but not in her case.
"I had some small bleeding in my brain," Levin said. "If a guy had the same thing, they would've been rushed to the hospital too."
Another possible reason mentioned was that females were more physically affectionate, which aids the spread of mumps.
"Mumps is spread by close contact ... the closer the contact the more likely to spread," Peake said.
Levin said she often hugs her friends and she was hardly alone in doing so.
"Girls can be more 'touchy' when being outgoing," she said.
Third-year College student Azeez Shodeinde said he didn't think cuddling would lead to mumps.
"I don't think that [cuddling] is the reason why mumps are spreading, but it's more about what these people have in common," Shodeinde said.
Levin explained that when she submitted a list of people she was often in contact with to the state health department, they told her she had many of the same contacts as other infected students.
"I heard lots of the sick students were really involved," Levin said.
Peake reasoned that more females getting mumps probably isn't because of just one reason, but multiple factors.
"I find it interesting that more women than men get the mumps, but I really can't say why on a scientific basis," Peake said.
Other students agreed that cuddling seemed like a poor reasoning for the ratio of ill females.
"It's a little far-fetched," second-year College student Renny Agiri said.
Levin said she felt there was no real reason for more female infection.
"It spreads just being in contact with someone," Levin said. "But you can't live a life in fear or you're going to live a boring life."
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