Mumps

Rubulavirus genus and

Paramyxovirus family
Definition:

• (epidemic parotitis) is an acute, self-

limited viral disease caused by the mumps
virus that predominantly affects children.
 Signs and Symptoms
• Fever, painful swelling of the parotid salivary
glands, muscle pain, headache , testicular
swelling and malaise are common initial
symptoms.
• Other symptoms of mumps can include dry
mouth, sore face and/or ears and some
patients find it difficult to talk.
 Mode of Transmission
• Mumps is spread from person to person
through contact with respiratory secretions,
such as saliva from an infected person. When
an infected person coughs or sneezes, the
droplets aerosolize and can enter the eyes,
nose, or mouth of another person. Mumps
can also be spread by sharing food and drinks.
 Incubation period
• (time until symptoms begin) can be from 12–
25 days, but is typically 16–18 days. 20-40% of
persons infected with the mumps virus do not
show symptoms, so it is possible to be
infected and spread the virus without knowing
it.
 Diagnosis
A physical examination confirms the presence of
the swollen glands, the disease is diagnosed
on clinical grounds, and no confirmatory
laboratory testing is needed.

If there is uncertainty about the diagnosis, a test

of saliva or blood may be carried out.
 Prevention
• The most common preventative measure
against mumps is a vaccination with a mumps
vaccine.
 Management
• There is no available cure for mumps and
treatment is supportive. Symptoms may be
relieved by the application of intermittent ice
or heat to the affected neck/testicular area
and by acetaminophen for pain relief. Warm
saltwater gargles, soft foods, and extra fluids
may also help relieve symptoms.
• There is no effective post-exposure
recommendation to prevent secondary
transmission, nor is the post-exposure use of
vaccine or immunoglobulin effective
• Mumps is considered most contagious in the
five days after the onset of symptoms,
and isolation is recommended during this
period. In someone who has been admitted to
hospital, standard and droplet precautions are
needed. People who work in healthcare
cannot work for five days.