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Mumps
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Causative agent
It is caused by the Mumps virus which affects the salivary glands and nerve tissues sometimes.
Clinical features
All ages may be affected although more common in children over 1 year. It is characterized by painful swelling of the salivary glands, usually at the cheek(s). Sometimes, there may be complications like deafness, or infection of brain, pancreas, testicles or ovary.
Mode of transmission
It is spread by droplet and by direct contact with the saliva of an infected person. A patient can spread the disease to other non-immune persons from 6 - 7 days before overt swelling of salivary glands to 9 days after the swelling.
Incubation period
It ranges from 12-25 days, usually 18 days.
Management
There is no specific treatment but drugs may be prescribed to reduce discomfort.
Prevention
1. Maintain good personal and environmental hygiene.
2. Keep hands clean and wash hands properly.
3. Wash hands when they are dirtied by respiratory secretions e.g. after sneezing.
4. Cover nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing and dispose of nasal and mouth discharge properly.
5. Cleanse used toys and furniture properly.
6. Affected children are advised to stay away from school for 9 days from the onset of swelling to prevent the spread of the disease.
7. An effective vaccine against mumps is available. Mumps vaccine is usually given in combination with measles and rubella vaccines in Hong Kong. (Please refer to programme of immunization)
More than 95% of recipients develop immunity that is long-lasting and may be lifelong.
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