VPMD:Mumps

What is Mumps?

Mumps is a virus that can cause an infectious disease of various glands/organs in the body. Mumps primarily causes infection of the salivary glands, located on the face in front of your ears. It is transmitted through direct/indirect contact with respiratory droplets and saliva. Mumps is also known to infect the testicles, ovaries, pancreas and the CNS. It can also have fatal effects on the fetus of infected pregnant women.

What are the symptoms of Mumps?

The combination of symptoms that one has is defined by the organ that is affected in addition to flu-like symptoms (fever, sore throat, body aches etc).

Parotid infection (parotitis): painful inflammation of one or both glands.

Pancreatitis: Abdominal pain, vomiting, anorexia

Testicular infection (orchitis): pain and swelling of testicle(s)

Ovarian infection (oophoritis): pelvic pain

CNS infection (meningoencephalitis): Headache, neck stiffness, altered mental status

Potential affected organs are not limited to those listed above.

How is mumps diagnosed?

Mumps is primarily diagnosed based on physical findings and history. When the diagnosis is not certain or there is CNS infection, laboratory identification of virus specific acute antibodies (IgM) or specific viral genetic material is used.

How is Mumps treated?

As with most viral infections, treatment is targeted at minimizing symptoms and preventing complications. Uncomplicated courses resolved within about 2 weeks.

How is Mumps prevented?

Mumps is the second “M” of the MMR vaccine and is recommended for children 12-15 months old as the first dose with a booster given between 4-6 yrs old. Literature reports that since the introduction of the vaccine, there has be a significant decline in the number of cases.

Source: Havrard Health