Mumps -cause, clinical featres, complications and prevention

Mumps is a viral disease which affects primarily the salivary glands but occasionally results in some complications. The virus spreads through respiratory secretions. One attack of the disease usually leads to lifelong immunity.

The incubation period varies between one to two weeks. An infected person can transmit the disease for about 2 days prior to onset of symptoms and about five after the onset.

Symptoms and signs: The disease usually starts with enlargement of salivary glands causing a neck swelling. Parotid glands are affected more often than other salivary glands. The swelling is painful and the pain is aggravated while chewing.

Parotid swelling is usually bilateral. The space behind and below the angle of the mandible is filled up by the parotid swelling. With marked swelling the ear lobe may be pushed outward and upward.

There may be redness as the site of opening of the parotid duct. Fever may be present but many children do not suffer from fever.

Inflammation of meninges or brain is an uncommon manifestation of this disease. This may cause headache, vomiting and mental changes like drowsiness or irritability. Recovery is complete. The virus is not known to cause permanent damage to the brain.

Inflammation of pancreas (pancreatitis) can also occur resulting in abdominal pain and vomiting.

Inflammation of testes or ovaries is another complication. Very rarely both tests can be affected leading to sterility.

Inflammation of thyroid (thyroiditis), breast in adolescent females (mastitis) and joints (arthritis) are other less common complications.

Laboratory investigations: White blood cell count is usually normal. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) may slow more lymphocytes and increased protein in meningitis or encephalitis. It is possible to culture the virus from saliva, urine or CSF . Antibodies to the virus may be detected in blood.

Mumps parotitis may be confused with enlarged lymph nodes in neck and bacterial parotitis (this causes elevated white blood cell count and pus from the opening of parotid gland). Other viruses can also cause parotitis.

Page last reviewed on 25th November 2009

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