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
Treatment
There is no specific treatment for mumps. Procedures generally focus on symptom relief and managing complications if they occur. Some approaches can contribute to patient improvement, such as:
- Rest: is very important to allow the body to recover
- Hydration: drinking sufficient amounts of fluids, such as water, juices, and soups, helps prevent dehydration, especially if the person has difficulty eating due to pain when swallowing
- Medications for pain and fever relief: can be used to alleviate pain and reduce fever. However, it is important to follow the healthcare professional's guidance regarding dosage
- Cold or warm compresses: applied directly to the swollen areas to provide temporary relief
Prevention
Prevention of mumps is primarily achieved through immunization, that is, vaccination against the mumps virus. The MMR vaccine is an effective preventive measure as it protects against three diseases: mumps, measles, and rubella.
The first dose is usually administered between 12 and 15 months of age, and the second dose is administered between four and six years. Routine vaccination helps to build immunity in the population, thus reducing the incidence of mumps.
References
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Measles: a viral infection, and like most respiratory spread diseases, is more common in winter due to more frequent crowding of people
Swelling: an objective sign visible to the physician or the patient, and very common in patients admitted to the ICU