Mumps

Chapter 240 Mumps




Mumps is an acute self-limited infection, once commonplace but now unusual in developed countries because of widespread use of vaccination. It is characterized by fever, bilateral or unilateral parotid swelling and tenderness, and the frequent occurrence of meningoencephalitis and orchitis. Although no longer common in countries with extensive vaccination programs, mumps remains endemic in the rest of the world, warranting continued vaccine protection.




Epidemiology


In the prevaccine era, mumps occurred primarily in young children between the ages of 5 and 9 yr and in epidemics about every 4 yr. Mumps infection occurred more often in the winter and spring months. In 1968, just after the introduction of the mumps vaccine, 185,691 cases were reported in the USA. Following the recommendation for routine use of mumps vaccine in 1977, the incidence of mumps in young children fell dramatically (Fig. 240-1), the disease occurring instead in older children, adolescents, and young adults. Outbreaks continued to occur even in highly vaccinated populations as a result of to vaccine failure and also of undervaccination of susceptible persons. After implementation of the 2-dose recommendation for the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine for measles control in 1989, the number of mumps cases declined further. During 2001-2003, <300 mumps cases were reported each year. In 2006, the largest mumps epidemic in the last 20 years occurred in the USA. A total of 6584 cases occurred, 85% of them in 8 Midwestern states. Twenty-nine percent of the cases occurred in patients 18-24 yr old, most of whom were attending college. An analysis of 4039 patients with mumps seen in the first 7 months of the epidemic indicated that 63% had received >2 doses of the MMR vaccine.



Mumps is spread from person to person by respiratory droplets. Virus appears in the saliva from up to 7 days before to as long as 7 days after onset of parotid swelling. The period of maximum infectiousness is 1-2 days before to 5 days after onset of parotid swelling. Viral shedding before onset of symptoms and in asymptomatic infected individuals impairs efforts to contain the infection in susceptible populations. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the Health Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee recommend an isolation period of 5 days after onset of parotitis for patients with mumps in both community and health care settings.




Clinical Manifestations


The incubation period for mumps ranges from 12 to 25 days but is usually 16-18 days. Mumps virus infection may result in clinical presentation ranging from asymptomatic or nonspecific symptoms to the typical illness associated with parotitis with or without complications involving several body systems. The typical patient presents with a prodrome lasting 1-2 days and consisting of fever, headache, vomiting, and achiness. Parotitis then appears and may be unilateral initially but becomes bilateral in about 70% of cases (Fig. 240-2). The parotid gland is tender, and parotitis may be preceded or accompanied by ear pain on the ipsilateral side. Ingestion of sour or acidic foods or liquids may enhance pain in the parotid area. As swelling progresses, the angle of the jaw is obscured and the ear lobe may be lifted upward and outward (Figs. 240-2 and 240-3). The opening of Stensen duct may be red and edematous. The parotid swelling peaks in approximately 3 days, then gradually subsides over 7 days. Fever and the other systemic symptoms resolve in 3-5 days. A morbilliform rash is rarely seen. Submandibular salivary glands may also be involved or may be enlarged without parotid swelling. Edema over the sternum due to lymphatic obstruction may also occur.


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Jun 18, 2016 | Posted by in PEDIATRICS | Comments Off on Mumps

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