pediatrics
Mumps
Introduction
Mumps is an acute, contagious, systemic viral disease, usually causing painful enlargement of the salivary glands, most commonly the parotids. Complications may include orchitis, meningoencephalitis, and pancreatitis. Diagnosis is usually clinical; all cases are reported promptly to public health authorities. Treatment is supportive. Vaccination is effective for prevention. The virus that causes mumps, a paramyxovirus, is spread by droplets or saliva. The virus typically enters through the nose or mouth. It is present in saliva up to 7 days before salivary gland swelling appears, and transmissibility is highest just before the development of parotitis. The virus is also in blood and urine in varying amounts, and, if the central nervous system (CNS) is involved, in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Infection with mumps usually confers permanent immunity. Mumps is less communicable than Measles . It occurs mainly in unimmunized populations, but outbreaks among largely immunized populations have occurred. A combination of primary vaccine failure (failure to develop immunity after vaccination) and waning immunity may have played a part in these outbreaks. In 2006, there was a resurgence of mumps in the United States with 6584 cases, which occurred primarily in young adults with prior vaccination. Since that time, sporadic outbreaks, mainly at college campuses and in other close-knit communities, have contributed to cases fluctuating from a low of 229 in 2012 to another high of 6369 in 2016. In 2022, 322 cases were reported (see the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's [CDC]Mumps Cases and Outbreaks). As with measles, mumps cases may be imported then lead to community transmission. Such spread is especially likely in congregate settings (eg, college campuses) or people in close-knit communities that live in crowded conditions. Peak incidence of mumps is during late winter and early spring. Disease can occur at any age but is unusual in children<2 years, particularly those<1 year. Approximately 25 to 30% of cases are asymptomatic. 