Penguins: Sidney Crosby Diagnosed With Mumps
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Pittsburgh Penguins' captain Sidney Crosby has the mumps.
TSN's Bob McKenzie first reported Crosby's condition on Twitter Sunday morning. The Penguins confirmed the report during a press conference at 11:30 a.m.
Sidney Crosby has the mumps.
— Bobby Margarita (@TSNBobMcKenzie) December 14, 2014
The team found out Saturday night that Crosby's tests came back positive for the mumps. He is now in isolation and will be evaluated daily.
Penguins team physician Dr. Dharmesh Vyas said Crosby did have a booster shot prior to the Sochi Olympics and still contracted the virus.
"He had had all of his immunizations as well as had a booster shot as recently as less than a year ago for the Olympics. So, he was well-protected from his antibody standpoint. He also had no symptoms such as fever or chills or generalized body aches," Dr. Vyas said.
WATCH: Dr. Dharmesh Vyas Updates Sidney Crosby's Condition
Crosby has only officially been ruled out of Monday's game against Tampa Bay at this time.
"The CDC recommends five days of isolation for the virus infection period to be completed," Dr. Vyas said.
The Penguins started testing Crosby for the mumps after sustaining a neck injury against the Carolina Hurricanes in November.
"[Crosby] sustained an injury to the right side of his neck. At that time, he injured a salivary gland in his neck. We came back to Pittsburgh, we tested him, including a CT scan, which showed the injury. Also, just to be safe, we tested him for mumps at that time. All the blood tests would come back as negative," Dr. Vyas said.
Crosby was then given medication for the neck injury. Once the medications stopped, he developed swelling near the injured area. The team once again tested him for the mumps.
Crosby missed practice on Thursday and met with doctors.
On Friday, he was cleared to practice with the team. Following the team's morning skate, Crosby spoke to the media and the right side of his face appeared to be swollen.
Shortly after, the team announced Crosby would miss the team's games against Calgary and Columbus as a precaution.
Prior to Crosby, at least 12 players in the NHL had been diagnosed with the mumps this season.
The Penguins are already without the services of Olli Maatta, Chris Kunitz, Pascal Dupuis and Zach Sill, due to various injuries.
Dr. Kevin Wong, a pediatrician in Jeanette, joined "The KDKA Morning News" with Larry Richert and John Shumway to talk about the mumps and why Crosby got it, even with a vaccination shot.
Dr. Wong said that even with the booster shot, "stress and strain," can cause the immune system to weaken.
Mumps, which is spread through body fluids, could be affecting players all across the NHL because of the players' sweat and saliva coming in contact with other players.
"The athletes (are) hitting each other at high speeds," Dr. Wong says.
Being in close contact could be when it is spread.
Dr. Wong says that,
"Mumps is a viral infection which affects the parotid gland. It's the gland right in front of your ear on each side," he says. "It can be just like any other virus illness. You can get (a) high fever for a few days, face pain, chills, shakes, headaches, and there are some other complications."
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