The causative agent of mumps is Mumps orthorubulavirus, a virus belonging to the Paramyxoviridae family. It is an infectious disease caused by the mumps virus, which caused epidemics in the past, and whose incidence is decreasing with vaccination studies, and sometimes causes serious complications.
In societies where vaccination is low, epidemics may occur, especially in communal living areas such as schools, military facilities, workplaces. It creates a facial appearance characterized by painful swelling in the parotid glands. Although the disease is frequently seen in the 5-9 age group, it can occur at any age.
Mumps is the most common cause of salivary gland inflammation. Symptoms of the disease are more severe in adult males. Depending on the disease, rare but serious complications such as orchitis (testicular inflammation) and related infertility, meningitis, encephalitis, pancreatitis, and hearing loss can be seen.
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How is mumps transmitted?
The mumps virus is mainly transmitted through the respiratory route. The virus, which is spread by coughs and sneezes of sick people, spreads easily to people who are not vaccinated. It can also be transmitted through contaminated surfaces that infected people come into contact with.
The spread of the virus begins a few days before the onset of symptoms (on average five days before the salivary glands swell), until a few days after the symptoms subside (on average five days after the salivary gland swelling subsides). Continuation of transmission after the symptoms have passed depends on the excretion of the virus through saliva. Contagion is at the highest risk during the period of salivary gland inflammation.
The issue of transmission through breast milk from an infected mother is controversial. A mumps patient can make 4-7 people sick on average.
What are the symptoms of mumps disease?
The average time between the transmission of the mumps virus and the appearance of the symptoms of the disease is 16-18 days (7-25 days).
The disease gives no clinical signs or very mild signs of flu infection in 30% of the patients.
Mumps symptoms begin with mild or high fever, headache, weakness, muscle aches, loss of appetite, and sore throat in the early period. After a few days, salivary gland inflammation (parotitis) develops. Painful swelling occurs under the ears. The patient’s face takes the form of “Hamster Face”. The image is typical. Salivary gland inflammation occurs in 70% of patients. The swelling is unilateral in most patients. There may be ear pain due to salivary gland inflammation.
Mumps usually clears up on its own within 1-2 weeks, but in some cases, serious complications may develop. There are studies showing that the disease during pregnancy can cause miscarriage. The disease rarely results in death. The cause of death was disease complications.
How is mumps diagnosed?
The diagnosis of mumps is made by anamnesis and examination findings. Sometimes laboratory tests may be needed for confirmation. The time of onset of the patient’s complaints and the presence of a sick person around are questioned. On examination, typical facial appearance, swollen face is evaluated.
The virus can be detected in the laboratory from saliva, blood, nasopharynx, salivary ducts, and cell cultures one week after symptoms begin. Antibody is checked in blood by ELISA method. The presence of IgM indicates active disease. The presence of IgG indicates that the disease is present or that the person is immune.
Virus can be detected in the urine with PCR test. However, it may not be as sensitive as blood culture analysis. In cases of meningitis, a virus can be observed in the cerebrospinal fluid one week after the onset of symptoms. In addition, blood, urine tests or imaging tests may be performed for possible complications.
How is mumps treated?
Mumps usually gets better on its own within 1-2 weeks. There is no specific antiviral treatment. Treatment of the disease is symptomatic. The basis of treatment is resting, drinking plenty of fluids, avoiding acidic beverages, consuming soft foods and cutting off contact with others. If necessary, pain relief, hot or cold compress application for swollen glands can be tried. If necessary, the mouth can be gargled with warm salt water.
Mumps immunoglobulin may be beneficial in preventing the development of complications in some cases. Antibiotics can be used in the development of infection secondary to the disease. In the development of complications, appropriate treatment is applied according to the disease.
How can I protect myself from mumps?
The most effective method of prevention of mumps disease is vaccination. Childhood vaccination is a must. Apart from vaccination, washing hands with soapy water, complying with hygiene rules, using tissue in case of coughing and sneezing, isolation of sick people at home for two weeks are other protection methods.
It is necessary not to be in the same environment with infected people, to take personal protective measures if it is for treatment purposes, and not to share items such as forks and knives with infected people.
What are the complications of mumps disease?
Mumps disease progresses with complications in some patients. Possible complications include:
- Orchitis: It is the most common complication. It is an inflammation of the testicles. 1-2 weeks after the onset of the disease, there is pain, swelling and temperature increase in the testicles. It is usually unilateral but can affect both sides. If not properly treated, it carries the risk of infertility in later life. It occurs in one third of adult male patients. Pain relievers, cold or hot compresses, and wearing wide underwear may be helpful.
- Mastitis: Mastitis occurs in one third of female patients.
- Oophoritis: Ovarian inflammation is seen in 10% of female patients.
- Otitis: Permanent or temporary deafness may develop in the following period.
- Meningitis: It progresses with fever, headache, vomiting, and is seen with a frequency of 10%.
- Encephalitis: It manifests itself with fever, confusion, seizures.
- meningoencephalitis,
- Acute Pancreatitis: Inflammation of the pancreas, which manifests itself with abdominal pain, is seen in 5% of cases. There may be yellowing of the eyes and skin.
- Arthritis,
- Nevrite,
- Pneumonia,
- Retinal inflammation,