Mumps
Mumps is an infectious disease caused by the mumps virus.
It was once very common in children, but due to vaccination it is now very uncommon.
How it spreads
Mumps is spread through infected saliva or mucus from the mouth or nose.
It can occur by coughing, sneezing, sharing utensils with others or touching surfaces contaminated with the virus.
Who is at risk
Mumps can affect any age group, but is more severe in those post-puberty.
Vaccination or one episode of the disease usually produces long-term immunity.
Symptoms
Symptoms generally develop 12 to 25 days after infection with the usual time being 16 to 18 days.
They include:
- fever
- loss of appetite
- tiredness and
- headaches
- swelling and tenderness of one or more salivary glands located in the cheek at the jaw line below the ears,
About a third of infected people do not show any symptoms at all. People infected after puberty usually have more severe disease.
Complications
Complications of mumps are uncommon but can include:
- hearing loss
- inflammation of the brain (encephalitis)
- inflammation of the covering of the brain and spinal cord (meningitis)
- inflammation of the testicles (orchitis)
- inflammation of the ovaries (oophoritis)
- spontaneous abortion.
Sterility (inability to have children) in males following orchitis is however extremely rare.
Infectious period
A person can be infectious 7 days before the swelling until 9 days after the swelling of the salivary glands.
People are most infectious from 2 days before until 4 days after the onset of symptoms.
Treatment
There is no specific treatment for mumps. Simple analgesics can help reduce pain and fever.
Rest and drinking plenty of fluids is important. Warm or cold packs to the swollen glands may help.
Control measures
People with mumps should stay away from work, school and childcare for 9 days:
- following the onset of swelling of the salivary glands or
- until the swelling goes down, whichever occurs first.
Laboratories, doctors, school principals and directors of child care centres must also report all cases to the local Centre for Disease Control.
Prevention
Mumps can be prevented by immunisation. Mumps containing vaccine prevents most cases of mumps and decreases the severity of the illness.
The measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine is part of the routine childhood immunisation schedule at 12 months of age and the MMRV (measles, mumps, rubella, varicella) vaccine is given at 18 months of age.
People born during or after 1966 should ensure they have received 2 doses of a mumps containing vaccine.
MMR and MMRV vaccines contain a live attenuated virus and should not be given during pregnancy or to women contemplating pregnancy. Pregnancy should be avoided for 28 days after vaccination.
Information for health professionals
To find out more, go to the NT Health website.
Contact
Contact your nearest Centre for Disease Control on the NT Health website.