Mumps Fact Sheet

 

Mumps is an infection of the salivary glands caused by a virus

Mumps usually occurs in school-age children, although young adults may also catch the disease. Almost everyone born before 1957 has already had mumps. It is most common in late winter and spring.

Mumps virus is spread by contact with infected secretions from the nose or throat

The virus is present in these secretions from six days before onset of symptoms up to nine days after salivary gland swelling. During this period a person can spread the virus. Children should not attend school for 9 days from the beginning of salivary gland swelling.

Symptoms to look for:

• Swollen and tender salivary glands (sides of the cheeks)
• Swollen and tender testes in teenage and adult men
• Fever

As many as one person out of three who has mumps will not have any symptoms. Mumps symptoms begin 14 to 25 days (usually 15 to 18 days) after exposure.

Although most people recover fully, mumps can cause complications

Complications of mumps include infections of the brain (encephalitis) and the covering of the brain (meningitis), orchitis, and deafness. Pregnant women who get mumps during the first 3 months of pregnancy are at risk of having miscarriages. Once you have had mumps, you are immune and can't catch it again.

Mumps can be prevented with mumps vaccine

Mumps vaccine is recommended for children at 12 months of age, with a second dose recommended at 4 to 6 years of age. This vaccine is given as measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. Persons of any age who are unsure of their mumps disease history and/or mumps vaccination history should be vaccinated, especially if they are likely to be exposed. Women should not get vaccine if they are pregnant or plan to get pregnant within 3 months after getting vaccine.

A pregnant woman should check with her doctor if she has been in contact with a case

A pregnant woman should check with her doctor if she has been in contact with a person who has mumps or if she has symptoms of mumps. Pregnant women do not necessarily need to be excluded from settings where mumps cases are occurring since the risk to any pregnant woman depends on whether she is already immune (from vaccination or catching the disease as a child). Each exposure needs to be individually evaluated. The doctor may want to check her blood to see if she is already immune to mumps.

Q1: What is mumps?

Mumps is a contagious viral infection caused by the mumps virus. It primarily affects the salivary glands, particularly the parotid glands, which are located near the jaw. Mumps can lead to symptoms such as swelling of the glands, fever, headache, and muscle aches. Historically, it was a common childhood illness, but vaccination has significantly reduced its prevalence.

Q2: How is mumps transmitted?

Mumps is transmitted through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It can also spread through direct contact with infected saliva, such as sharing utensils or engaging in close personal contact. Since the virus can be before symptoms appear, individuals may unknowingly spread the virus to others.

Q3: What are the complications associated with mumps?

While many people recover from mumps without any serious issues, complications can occur. These can include orchitis (inflammation of the testicles), oophoritis (inflammation of the ovaries), meningitis, and encephalitis. Some individuals may also experience hearing loss, although this is rare. The potential for complications underscores the importance of vaccination.

Q4: How can mumps be prevented?

The most effective way to prevent mumps is through vaccination. The MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine is typically administered during childhood, providing immunity against all three diseases. It's recommended that individuals follow the schedule provided by healthcare professionals, which includes two doses of the MMR vaccine for optimal protection.