$Unique_ID{BRK04016} $Pretitle{} $Title{Mumps} $Subject{Mumps Parotitis Infective Parotitis Meningitis Orchitis Arthritis Infectious Oophoritis Pancreatitis} $Volume{} $Log{} Copyright (C) 1989 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. 741: Mumps ** IMPORTANT ** It is possible that the main title of the article (Mumps) is not the name you expected. Please check the SYNONYM listing to find the alternate names and disorder subdivisions covered by this article. Synonyms Parotitis Infective Parotitis Information on the following diseases can be found in the Related Disorders section of this report: Meningitis Orchitis Arthritis, Infectious Oophoritis Pancreatitis General Discussion ** REMINDER ** The information contained in the Rare Disease Database is provided for educational purposes only. It should not be used for diagnostic or treatment purposes. If you wish to obtain more information about this disorder, please contact your personal physician and/or the agencies listed in the "Resources" section of this report. Mumps is an acute viral illness that causes a painful inflammation and swelling of the saliva glands. These glands include the parotid, submaxillary, sublingual and buccal salivary glands. Mumps used to be a common infectious disease of childhood until a vaccine was developed in 1967 to immunize children against the virus that causes the disorder. However, recent outbreaks of mumps among adolescents and young adults have raised questions about lifetime immunity from the vaccine. Symptoms Mumps is a very contagious viral illness that has an incubation period of about 14-24 days after exposure. The onset of this illness is characterized by headache, loss of appetite, a general feeling of ill-health (malaise), and a low to moderate fever. Within 24 hours the temperature may suddenly rise to about 104 degrees Fahrenheit and be associated with a painful swelling of the parotid glands in front of the ears and under the jaw. In most cases, the salivary glands on both sides of the jaw are affected. The submaxillary and sublingual glands (principally in the floor of the mouth) and the buccal glands (that are scattered beneath the mucous membranes of the cheeks) may also be swollen and tender. The skin over the affected area may be stretched, opening the mouth can be difficult, and there may be a sensitivity to pressure on the jaw. Chewing and swallowing is painful and foods that are sour or acidic should be avoided. The disease lasts between 5 to 6 days and usually results in a lifelong immunity to the virus. Mumps can involve other organs especially in those people past puberty. Males who contract mumps can develop a painful inflammation of the testes. This inflammation can damage the testes and may cause sterility. Females with mumps can develop inflammation of the ovaries (oophoritis). Causes Mumps is a contagious disease that is caused by a virus. It is transmitted through saliva by direct contact, or in the form of airborne droplets from the nose, throat or mouth. The virus enters the body through the upper respiratory tract. Affected Population Since the mumps vaccine was developed in 1967, this disorder has become an uncommon viral disease. It affects males and females in equal numbers. If a person is not immunized against mumps the disease will occur most often in children between the ages of five and fifteen, but adults can also be affected. In recent years there have been outbreaks of mumps on college campuses in the United States which has raised question about long-term immunity from the mumps vaccine. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is trying to determine whether people during specific years should be re- vaccinated. Related Disorders People with Mumps may develop the following disorders as a complication of this disease: Infectious Arthritis may occur as a complication of mumps. It is characterized by fever, chills, general weakness and headaches, followed by inflammation of one or more joints. The affected joint or joints often become painful, swollen, slightly red, and stiff within hours or days. (For more information on this disorder, choose "Arthritis, Infectious" as your search term in the Rare Disease Database). Meningioencephalitis can be a complication of mumps. It is characterized by inflammation of the membranes (meninges) around the brain or spinal cord and also the brain tissue. It can begin suddenly (acute) or develop gradually (subacute). (For more information on this disorder, choose "Meningitis" as your search term in the Rare Disease Database). Orchitis causes very painful swelling of the testes, headache, nausea and vomiting. This infection can cause damage to the testes which may include wasting (atrophy) and sterility. Oophoritis is a painful inflammation of the ovaries. It is characterized by lower abdominal pain, vaginal discharge or irregular bleeding. Excessive menstrual bleeding may also be symptomatic of this disorder. Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas. Pancreatitis can be caused by many different conditions or infections including mumps. The pancreas produces enzymes to help break down carbohydrates and proteins during digestion. It is characterized by nausea and vomiting, fever, chills, severe abdominal pain and abdominal distention. Therapies: Standard Mumps is a self-limiting disease that requires little or no treatment. A soft, bland diet may help the pain caused by chewing. Acetaminophen (e.g.,Tylenol), given every 4 hours, will help reduce the fever and pain. Aspirin should NOT be given to children with Mumps because it can cause Reye's Syndrome. (For more information on this disorder, choose "Reye Syndrome" as your search term in the Rare Disease Database.) Cases of the Mumps have been greatly reduced with the introduction of the live attenuated mumps virus vaccine in 1967. All children should be immunized with this vaccine. It can be given singularly or together with the measles and rubella vaccine (MMR), around 15 months of age. Because of recent outbreaks of measles, mumps, and rubella in those persons previously immunized, lifetime immunity with only one vaccination is in question. It may be advisable to ask a pediatrician whether a second immunization be given before entering school. Adults who have been exposed to mumps or question their immunity to the mumps virus, should consider being immunized as a precaution. Therapies: Investigational This disease entry is based upon medical information available through January 1990. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder. Resources For more information on Mumps, please contact: National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) P.O. Box 8923 New Fairfield, CT 06812-1783 (203) 746-6518 NIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) 9000 Rockville Pike Bethesda, MD 20892 (301) 496-5717 Centers for Disease Control (CDC) 1600 Clifton Road NE Atlanta, GA 30333 (404) 329-3534 References INTERNAL MEDICINE, 2nd Ed.: Jay H. Stein, ed.-in-chief; Little, Brown and Co., 1987. Pp. 1580-1582. THE MERCK MANUAL, Volume 2, 14th Ed.: Robert Berkow, M.D., ed-in-chief; Merck, Sharp & Dohme Laboratories., 1982. Pp. 2039-2041. MUMPS IN THE WORKPLACE. FURTHER EVIDENCE OF THE CHANGING EPIDEMIOLOGY OF A CHILDHOOD VACCINE-PREVENTABLE DISEASE. K. Kaplan, et al.; JAMA (September 9, 1988; issue 260(10)). Pp. 1434-1438. A LARGE OUTBREAK OF MUMPS IN THE POSTVACCINE ERA. M. Wharton, et al.; J INFECT DIS (December 1988; issue 158(6)). Pp. 1253-1260. ADULT IMMUNIZATION. J. Korn, et al.; PRIM CARE (March 1989; issue 16(1)). Pp. 177-196. IMMUNIZATIONS DURING THE ADOLESCENT YEARS. R. Brookman; PRIM CARE (March 1987; issue 14(1)). Pp. 25-39. VACCINE PREVENTABLE DISEASES ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES: THE EMERGENCE OF MUMPS. W. Williams, et al.; J AM COLL HEALTH (March 1989; issue 37(5)). Pp. 197- 203.