Mumps (aka epidemic parotitis) is a highly contagious disease caused by the mumps virus. It spreads rapidly among people living in close quarters.

• Initially:
  • Fever
  • Muscle pain
  • Headache
  • Feeling tired
• Up to 48 hours later:
  • Painful swelling of the salivary glands (clasically the parotid gland, found in 95% of cases)
  • Painful testicular swelling, which can cause sterility
  • Rash

Sx in adults are often more severe than kids

• Transmitted by respiratory droplets, direct contact, or contaminated objects
• Sx occur 14-18 days after exposure
• Pt's are infectious a few days before the onset of Sx

• Self limiting, running its course before receding
• No specific Tx
• Sx control, with:
  • Pain medications
  • Fever reduction, e.g. paracetamol
• Preventable, by vaccination

• Hospitalization is required if meningitis or pancreatitis develops
• After ilness, lifelong immunity is conferred; reinfection is possible, but tends to be mild and atypical

• Following vaccination, has declined by 96%
• Before vaccination, it was a common childhood disease
• It is still common in developing countries
• Outbreaks occur occasionally in developed countries
• Notifiable disease