MUMPS: Causes, Signs and Symptoms, Treatment/Management and Prevention using the MMR Vaccine

OVERVIEW

Mumps is a highly contagious viral disease caused by the Mumps virus. It primary affects the Parotid gland (one of the salivary glands) causing it to swell. It affects both children and adults and is spread through contact with respiratory secretions such as saliva. Signs and symptoms of mumps include painful swellings on one or both sides of the face, fever, loss of appetite, weakness and fatigue, muscle ache, dry mouth, nausea etc. Mumps has no specific treatment. However, it can be managed by observing measures to relieve its symptoms. Mumps is best prevented by administering the MMR (Mumps, Measles and Rubella) vaccine and booster shots

Mumps primarily manifests as swellings on one or both sides of the face

Humans have 3 pairs of salivary glands with each pair located on each side of the face. They include:

• Parotid glands: These are located in front of and extend below the ear. It is the largest salivary gland

• Submandibular glands: These are located beneath the lower jaws and in front of the parotid glands

• Sublingual glands: These are located under the tongue and in front of both the parotid and submandibular glands.

The 3 major salivary glands occurring in pairs on both sides of the face

Mumps typically and most times affect the parotid glands. This is why it is sometimes referred to as Parotitis (Inflammation of the Parotid gland). Although, it is not the only infection that causes the Parotid gland to become inflammed.

DID YOU KNOW THAT A GOITRE CAN GET SO BIG THAT BREATHING BECOMES DIFFICULT

Mumps is spread from an infected person to an uninfected person through contact with respiratory secretions such as saliva. When an infected person coughs or sneezes, they expel tiny droplets (containing the virus) into the air. These droplets become suspended in the air and can enter into the eyes, nose, or mouth of another person. Other notable ways through which the disease can be spread include 

• Using the same cutlery with an infected person 

• Sharing food and drinks with an infected person 

• Kissing 

• An infected person passing respiratory secretions onto a surface someone else can touch

Mumps has an incubation period of about 16-18 days. A person infected with mumps is contagious from 6days before the onset of symptoms until about 9days after symptoms start. However, once a person has had mumps, they develop life-time immunity against it

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Up to 20% of people infected with mumps virus do not suffer any signs or symptoms at all. Such people are said to be asymptomatic. So it is possible to be infected and spread the virus without knowing it.

The signs and symptoms of Mumps are as follows:

• Swollen and painful salivary glands in one or both sides of the face. This causes the affected side(s) to puff out. This is the main and classic symptom of mumps 

• Pain while chewing or swallowing

• Fever 

• Headache 

• Loss of appetite 

• Weakness and fatigue 

• Nausea 

• Muscle ache 

• Dry mouth 

• Loss of voice (this happens in more serious cases)

TREATMENT

Since mumps is caused by a virus, antibiotics will have no effect on it at all. And currently, there are no specific anti-viral medications for the treatment of mumps. Like most viral illnesses, a mumps infection must simply run its course. However, its symptoms can be relieved by doing the following:

• Intermittent application of a cold compress on the swollen area 

• Administering painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. DO NOT GIVE ASPIRIN TO CHILDREN WITH A VIRAL ILLNESS 

• Gargling the mouth with warm salt water 

• Consuming plenty of fluids especially water 

• Eating soft or liquid foods as chewing will also be painful 

• Avoidance of acidic foods and beverages (e.g. fruit juices) as they stimulate the salivary gland which can be painful 

• Having enough rest and sleep

In most cases, people with mumps recover within 2weeks

PREVENTION

The most common and effective preventive measure against mumps is vaccination with the mumps vaccine. This vaccine was invented by the American microbiologist Maurice Hilleman and may be given separately or as part of the MMR vaccine which also protects the body against Measles and Rubella. 

The vaccine is first given to children when they are 12-15months old and later on, as a booster, when they are 4-6years old (just before they start school). But if the child has not been administered with the vaccine before, it should be done between 11-12years of age.

*Booster: An extra adminitration of a vaccine after an earlier dose. It is intended to increase immunity against an antigen/disease-causing organism after it has been shown to have decreased or after a specified period of time*

However, an  adult can be given the MMR vaccine at any age. Doctors may advice someone to take the vaccine before travelling to mumps-prone countries/areas

Other notable ways of preventing the spread of Mumps are:

• Washing the hands frequently with soap and water

• Covering the nose and mouth with a tissue paper when sneezing or coughing

• Staying indoors or at home until about 6days after the symptoms begin to appear. This is because the mumps can no longer be able to be transmitted to others.

HAVE YOU HEARD OF ONDINE'S CURSE? A DISEASE THAT CAUSES ITS SUFFERERS TO BREATH CONSCIOUSLY EVEN WHILE ASLEEP ELSE THEY WOULD DIE OFF!
 

COMPLICATIONS

Death is very rare and unusual in Mumps. However, complications may occur. These complications majorly involve the inflammation and swelling in some other organs of the body. They include:

ORCHITIS: This is the inflammation of the testicles. It causes one or both testicles to swell and become painful. This happens to 1 out of 5 males that contract mumps after reaching puberty. The swelling usually goes down within a week but the tenderness may last longer than that. It rarely results in fertility

PANCREATITIS: This is the inflammation of the pancreas. Its major signs and symptoms are pain in the upper abdomen, nausea and vomitting. It occurs in 1 out of 20 cases and is usually mild

OOPHORITIS AND MASTITIS: These involves the inflammation of the ovaries and breasts respectively. It happens to 1 out of 20 females that are infected with mumps after puberty. Fertility is rarely affected

ENCEPHALITIS: This is the inflammation of the brain and occurs in most viral infections. It can lead to neurological problems and become life-threatening. This complication is very rare, occurring in 1 out of 6,000 cases

VIRAL MENINGITIS: This is the inflammationof the membranes and fluid around the brain and spinal cord. This complication is also very rare and happens when the virus spreads through your bloodstream infecting the body's central nervous system.

MISCARRIAGE: Mumps may also result in miscarriage if the pregnant woman contracts it within the first 3-4 months of pregnancy.

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