What
is mumps?
It is an infection caused by the mumps virus.
Who
can get mumps?
Anyone
who is not immune from either previous
mumps infection or from vaccination
can get mumps. Before the routine
vaccination program was introduced
in the United States, mumps was
a common illness in infants, children
and young adults. Because most people
have now been vaccinated, mumps
is now a rare disease in the United
States. Of those people who do get
mumps, up to half have very mild,
or no symptoms, and therefore do
not know they were infected with
mumps.
What
are the symptoms of mumps?
The
most common symptoms are fever,
headache, muscle aches, tiredness
and loss of appetite followed by
onset of parotitis (swollen and
tender salivary glands under the
ears-on one or both sides).
Are
there complications of mumps?
The
most common complication is the
inflammation of the testicles (orchitis)
in males who have reached puberty,
but rarely does this lead to fertility
problems.
Other
rare complications include:
- Inflammation of the brain and/or tissue covering the brain and spinal cord (encephalitis/meningitis)
- Inflammation
of the ovaries (oophoritis) and/or
breasts (mastitis) in females
who have reached puberty
- Spontaneous abortion particularly in early pregnancy (miscarriage)
- Deafness, usually permanent
How
soon do symptoms appear?
Symptoms typically appear 16-18 days after infection, but this period can range from 12-25 after infection.
How
is mumps spread?
Mumps is spread by mucus or droplets from the nose or throat of an infected person, usually when a person coughs or sneezes. Surfaces of items (e.g. toys) can also spread the virus if someone who is sick touches them without washing their hands, and someone else then touches the same surface and then rubs their eyes, mouth, nose etc. (this is called fomite transmission).
How
long is an infected person able
to spread the disease?
Mumps
virus has been found in respiratory
secretions 3 days before the start
of symptoms until 9 days after
onset. Although mumps virus has
been detected on rare occasions
for up to 9 days after symptom onset,
the patient is most infectious within
the first 5 days.
What
is the treatment for mumps?
There is no specific treatment. Supportive care should be given as needed. If someone becomes very ill, they should seek medical attention. If someone seeks medical attention, they should call their doctor in advance so that they don't have to sit in the waiting room for a long time and possibly infect other patients.
How
do I protect myself (my kids/my
family)?
Mumps vaccine (usually MMR), is the best way to prevent mumps. Other things people can do to prevent mumps and other infections is to wash hands well and often with soap, and to teach children to wash their hands too. Eating utensils should not be shared, and surfaces that are frequently touched (toys, doorknobs, tables, counters, etc) should also be regularly cleaned with soap and water, or with cleaning wipes.
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