mumps graphic

 

Mumps, also known as epidemic parotitis, is an infectious disease characterised by inflammatory swelling of the PAROTID GLAND and other SALIVARY GLANDS – often occurring as an EPIDEMIC and affecting mostly young people. Its name comes from the old verb, ‘mump’, meaning to mope or assume a disconsolate appearance – an apt description of the victim of the
disease at its height.
 
Causes:
 
Mumps is due to infection with a virus and is highly infectious from person to person. It is predominantly a disease of childhood and early adult life, but it can occur at any age. Epidemics usually occur in the winter and spring. It is infectious for two or three days before the swelling of the glands appears. A vaccine is now available that gives a high degree of
protection against the disease, the incidence of which is falling sharply. The vaccine is combined with those for MEASLES and RUBELLA – seeMMR VACCINE; IMMUNISATION.
 
Symptoms :
 
There is an incubation period of 2–3 weeks after infection before the glands begin to swell. The gland first affected is generally the parotid, situated in front of and below the ear. The swelling usually spreads to the submaxillary and sublingual glands lying beneath the jaw. The patient is feverish and the gland is tender. The swelling disappears after about five days. In 15–30 per cent of males, inflammation of the testicles (orchitis) develops. This usually occurs during the second week of the illness, but may not occur until 2–3 weeks later; it may result in partial ATROPHY of the testicles, but practically never in INFERTILITY.
In a much smaller proportion of females with mumps, inflammation of the OVARIES or BREASTS may occur. Inflammation of the PANCREAS, accompanied by tenderness in the upper part of the abdomen and digestive disturbances, sometimes results, and MENINGITIS is also an occasional complication. The various complications are found much more often when the
disease affects adults than when it occurs in childhood.
 
Treatment:
 
There is no specific treatment but ANALGESICS and plenty of fluid should be available. The child may need to be in bed for a few days and should not return to school until the symptoms have settled. Adults with orchitis may need strong painkillers, and CORTICOSTEROIDS may be required to reduce the painful swelling.