Mumps
- epidemiology
- classification and characteristics
- transmission and infection
- pathogenicity and virulence
- clinical manifestations
- diagnosis
- treatment
- role of public health
Paramyxovirus causes the mumps, an infectious process known for parotitis.
Epidemiology
- occurs worldwide, though vaccine has made infection more uncommon
Classification and Characteristics
Transmission and Infection
The mumps is spread by droplets, and suspected people with mumps could spread the virus in the waiting room.
Incubation is 12-25 days. Patients are infectious for one week pre-parotitis and one week post-parotitis.
Pathogenicity and Virulence
Clinical Manifesations
Almost half of cases are subclinical, with minimal symptoms.
Mumps is characterized by acute onset of unilateral or bilateral tender, self-limited swelling of the parotid or other salivary gland, lasting at least 2 days, and without appearent cause.
Associated symptoms include:
- fever
- headache
- myalgia, malaise
- earache with 95% of cases
- other salivary glands and lymph nodes of head and neck infected in 10%. Rash does not occur.
Complications include
- meningitis occurs in 15%, while encephalitis is rare.
- orchitis with rare sterility; oopheritis.
- pancreatitis
- occular, auditory complications
- thyroiditis, myocarditis, arthritis
- thrombocytopenia
- cerebellar ataxia
- glomerulonephritis
Diagnosis
- antibody testing - IgM or IgG
- PCR using buccal/throat swab or urine
Treatment
Role of Public Health
Mumps is a reportable disease; primary care clinicians need to be vigilant and get in touch with the local public health agency and the public health lab when concern for mumps exists.
Primary care providers do not need to assist in contact tracing; rather, public health will do this. People with suspected or confirmed mumps will be placed in isolation for 7 days.