What is Mumps?

Mumps is a viral disease caused by the paramyxovirus. This infection primarily affects the salivary glands, including the parotid glands (located in the cheeks near the ears). Other glands may also be affected. Mumps is contagious and transmitted from person to person through respiratory droplets.

Symptoms

Symptoms of mumps begin to appear about 16 to 18 days after exposure to the virus; however, it is possible for some infected individuals to be asymptomatic (show no symptoms). When symptoms are present, they may include:

Swelling and pain in the salivary glands: the most evident characteristic of mumps is pain in the parotid glands, which are located in the cheeks, below and in front of the ears. This can cause the face to appear swollen
Pain when swallowing or chewing: this occurs due to the swelling of the salivary glands
Fever: moderate to high
Headache: frequently, is also a common symptom of the disease

If not treated correctly, the disease can lead to complications, commonly known by the population as "mumps that goes down," affecting other parts of the body:

Orchitis: painful inflammation of both the epididymis (a tubular structure located at the back of each testicle) and the testicle
Oophoritis: inflammation of the ovaries, which are the female reproductive organs responsible for producing eggs and hormone flow
Pancreatitis: inflammation of the pancreas, an organ located behind the stomach that plays a very important role in digestion and blood sugar regulation

Causes

The main cause is the mumps virus, which belongs to the Paramyxoviridae family. It is highly contagious and released when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks. Contact can be direct or indirect:

Direct contact: is the main route of transmission and refers to contact with respiratory droplets from an infected person. This can occur by sharing utensils, towels, or being close to people with the disease
Indirect contact: the virus can survive for a short period on contaminated surfaces, such as doorknobs and toys. Thus, one way to contract the infection is by touching infected surfaces and then placing hands in the mouth, nose, or eyes

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of mumps is generally based on:

Clinical history and physical examination: a healthcare professional, such as an infectious disease specialist, will ask about the symptoms presented and recent exposure to people with mumps. The physical examination is very important and generally includes observing the salivary glands for swelling and tenderness
Laboratory tests: the most common is the collection of a saliva sample to detect the mumps virus and refer the patient for the next steps
Ultrasound: in cases of doubt or to assess the extent of salivary gland swelling, this imaging test can provide detailed information about the size and consistency of the affected glands