Mumps
DEFINITION:
A
viral illness associated with specific symptoms.
SYMPTOMS:
Pain
and swelling of the parotid glands, the glands in front of
the ear.
CAUSES:
Viral.
DIAGNOSIS:
The
diagnosis is usually made by the symptoms of the child. A
blood test can be done to confirm the diagnosis, although
this is not usually necessary.
CONTAGION:
Mumps
is contagious during the course of the illness. Its incubation
period is 2 to 4 weeks.
OUTCOME:
Usually
excellent. Some complications can occur, including meningoencephalitis,
or infection and swelling of the brain, orchitis, or infection
of the testicle, pancreatitis, thyroid anomalies, heart problems,
mild joint pain or deafness.
TREATMENT AND DISCUSSION:
Mumps was once a common illness, but because of vaccination
the illness has become very uncommon. Once exposed, the incubation
period is 2 to 4 weeks. Exposure is by respiratory droplets
(coughing or sneezing). The first symptom is pain and swelling
of the parotid glands. This will usually last about 2 weeks
with complete resolution of the symptoms. The complications
of mumps, if they occur, also last about 2 weeks before resolution.
There is no treatment for mumps once it is contracted. Vaccination
is the best way to prevent the illness. The MMR vaccine is
given at 1 year of age and a booster dose is given at 4 to
6 years of age, but can be given at any time during childhood
as long as one month has passed since the first vaccine. The
vaccine is about 95% effective, but through vaccination, the
virus is slowly being eradicated. Children in the first 6
months of life are protected by their mother's immunity to
mumps.
ONE DOCTOR'S OPINION:
This
is a painful but generally harmless illness. A few children
can become infertile, deaf, or have serious cardiac or neurologic
manifestations, but this is extremely rare. Fortunately, we
don't have to worry too much, since vaccination is slowly
eradicating this illness. Vaccination is the only way to prevent
mumps.
