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Mumps - Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Prevention, and Vaccine

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Mumps is a contagious viral disease that causes inflammation of one or more salivary glands. It can be best prevented through proper vaccination. Read further.

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Shubadeep Debabrata Sinha

Published At December 26, 2022
Reviewed AtJune 28, 2023

Introduction:

Mumps is a self-limiting, acute, and systemic viral illness which is characterized by the swelling of one or more of the salivary glands, especially the parotid glands. It usually spreads through mucus and saliva and is mostly seen in kids. Mumps usually lasts for two weeks in children. The initial symptoms of mumps include low-grade fever, headache, malaise, muscle ache, and loss of appetite. Serious health complications of mumps involve deafness, meningitis (inflammation of the spinal cord and brain), and orchitis (inflammation of one or more testicles). The measle mump vaccine (MMR) is the ultimate prevention of mumps. The illness is usually of short duration, and there is no cure for this disease.

What Are Mumps?

Mumps is a viral infection affecting the saliva-producing glands near the ear. It can cause swelling in one or more glands. Mumps is caused by an RNA (Ribonucleic acid) virus called Rubulavirus within the genus Paramyxovirus and is also known as epidemic parotitis. It spreads with virus-infected coughs, sneezes, talking, or laughing. Contact with objects used by an infected person, such as dirty tissue, drinking glasses, or straw, can also cause mumps. The incubation period of mumps is 14 days to 18 days after exposure to symptoms. People infected with mumps may develop protection against another mump virus and the occurrence of mump a second time is usually rare.

What Are the Symptoms of Mumps?

The symptoms of mumps are as follows:

  • Pain while swallowing or chewing.

  • Fever.

  • Muscle ache.

  • Headache.

  • Weakness and fatigue.

  • Loss of appetite.

  • Pain in the swollen salivary glands on one or both sides of the face.

  • Sneezing or coughing.

  • Sharing drinks or food with a person who is infected.

What Are the Causes of Mumps?

Mumps is caused by the virus that spreads from one person to another through infected saliva. Mumps can occur by contact with droplets of saliva or sharing utensils.

What Is the Incubation Period of Mumps?

The incubation period of mumps is usually 14 days to 18 days after exposure and the onset of signs and symptoms. The mumps virus is short-lived, and the infected person should be isolated from other people.

How to Diagnose Mumps?

Mumps can be diagnosed through physical examination and blood tests to check the evidence of mump virus.

What Are the Risk Factors Associated With Mumps?

The risk factors associated with mumps are:

  • Failure to vaccinate properly against the mumps virus.

  • The highest risk of coming in contact with the mumps virus involves the age group between 2 years and 12 years.

  • Mumps outbreak is commonly seen in the spring or winter seasons.

  • Weakened immune system due to certain diseases or medications used in cancer treatment.

What Are Complications of Mumps?

Mumps has complications such as :

  • Testicle: It is also known as orchitis, which causes one or more testicles to swell in males. It is usually painful and affects the sterility of the male.

  • Brain: Mumps can lead to inflammation of the brain, called encephalitis. Encephalitis has the potential to cause neurological problems that can be life-threatening.

  • Meningitis: Itis any condition that can occur if the mumps virus spreads through the bloodstream to infect the central nervous system.

  • Pancreas: The signs and symptoms of the condition are known as pancreatitis, which includes nausea, vomiting, and abdomen.

  • Hearing Loss: Can occur in one or more ears and can be permanent.

  • Heart Problem: It is associated with heart muscle disease and abnormal heart rate.

  • Miscarriage: Contracting the mumps virus in early pregnancy can lead to miscarriage.

  • Viral Meningitis: It is the rarest form of complication. It occurs when the virus spreads through the bloodstream and infects the body’s central nervous system.

  • Mastitis: Meaning inflammation of breast tissue.

  • Oophoritis: Refers to inflammation of one or more ovaries in women.

How to Prevent Mumps?

  • The best way of mumps prevention is to vaccinate against the disease. The mumps vaccine is given as combined measles mumps rubella (MMR).

  • Application of ice packs to soothe swollen glands.

  • Washing hands regularly.

  • Avoid dehydration by consuming a lot of water.

  • Have a soft diet of yogurt and soup to avoid chewing hard food.

  • Gargling with warm salt water.

  • Consumption of food rich in vitamin C, such as citric food, tomatoes, and strawberries, to help improve immunity.

  • Limiting the consumption of alcohol and caffeine intake.

  • Avoid acidic beverages and food that may cause pain in salivary glands.

  • Use of painkillers such as Paracetamol and Ibuprofen.

What Is Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) Vaccine?

The MMR vaccine was introduced in the United States to prevent mumps, measles, and rubella. It is given in two doses of a single injection into the muscle of the upper arm and thighs. It is effective, safe, and provides long-lasting immunity. It was first made available in 1967. It contains attenuated, live or weakened strains of mumps, measles, and rubella.

The recommended age for the MMR vaccine is:

  • Children from 12 months to 15 months old for the first dose.

  • Children from four to six years of age.

  • Adults who are 18 years of age or older.

What Are the Side-Effects of Mump Vaccine?

The side effects of mump vaccine are:

  • Fever.

  • Rash.

  • Swollen glands.

  • Seizures (refers to an uncontrolled sudden electrical disturbance in the brain).

  • Joint pain.

  • Low platelet count.

  • Stinging or burning sensation at the site of injection.

  • Redness at the site of injection.

  • Running nose.

  • Diarrhea (refers to watery loose stools that occur more than two times a day).

  • Swelling at the site of injection.

What Is the Prognosis of Mumps Virus?

Mumps is usually a benign self-limiting disease. Side effects of mumps are extremely rare. Women without vaccination who contract the mumps virus during the first trimester of pregnancy become more prone to miscarriage.

Conclusion:

Mumps is a contagious disease caused by viruses. It starts with a headache, fever, muscle aches, loss of appetite, and tiredness. The measles mumps rubella (MMR) vaccine is the best way to get protection against the spread of mumps. There is no specific treatment recommended to treat mumps. Regular rinsing and analgesics are used to relieve the symptoms.

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Dr. Shubadeep Debabrata Sinha
Dr. Shubadeep Debabrata Sinha

Infectious Diseases

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