Dr Rommel Tickoo, Director, Internal Medicine, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket, New Delhi, on tests and prevention
Many patients of mine have been asking me about the outbreak of mumps, a viral infection, in Kerala and whether there is something unusual about it. Should they be worried? The fact is it is just another viral infection that happens every year, is self-limiting and can be easily prevented with the MMR (mumps, measles, rubella) vaccine. The only reason you are seeing such large numbers is because a significant number of children have not been routinely immunised or are under-vaccinated, resulting in waning immunity over time, and making them more vulnerable.
What are signs and symptoms?
Like any other viral infection, it begins with fever, malaise, body aches, muscle aches, loss of appetite and a general sense of listlessness. The virus has a long incubation time of two weeks or more before manifesting symptoms. However, its tell-tale signs develop rather quickly. There’s a painful swelling around the ears and next to your jawline because of inflammation of the parotid glands. This takes about seven to 14 days to subside and poses a problem while eating solids as you simply can’t chew food with a shooting pain in your jaw.
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Is it infectious?
The mumps virus replicates itself in the upper respiratory tract and is transmitted person to person through direct contact with saliva or droplets of the infected person. So isolate yourself to avoid spreading the virus to other people. Maintain hygiene and wash your hands frequently. Cover your mouth when sneezing or coughing. Disinfect shared surfaces like doorknobs, bathroom faucets and counters and avoid sharing food or objects.
What are confirmatory tests?
Go for the IgM antibody in serum specimens collected as soon as possible after the onset of symptoms, be it the blood or a saliva sample. A positive IgM test result indicates current or very recent infection or reinfection.
How to treat mumps?
Treatment is usually limited to antivirals and pain medication. Rest and hydration are musts.
Can the disease turn serious?
Very rarely. Few of those infected may develop complications. Adolescent boys can develop pain or swelling in their testicles while adolescent girls can develop pain or swelling in their breasts and ovaries. Some may complain of bronchitis. The overall inflammation may impact the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, leading to meningitis and loss of hearing in very severe cases. The most serious complication is inflammation of the brain (encephalitis).
When do you take the vaccine and how long does it last?
You need two doses of the MMR vaccine in your lifetime to protect yourself against severe infection. If you have had mumps, measles and rubella as a child, then you should have lifelong immunity against them and do not need to worry. People who haven’t contracted the infection in their childhood but have received two doses of the MMR vaccine are about nine times less likely to get mumps than unvaccinated people who have the same exposure to the virus.
Usually, the first dose of the MMR vaccine is given when a child is 12 to 15 months old, and a second dose is given between four and six years of age.
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First uploaded on: 14-03-2024 at 08:14 IST
Rohit Malhotra is a medical expert and health journalist who offers evidence-based advice on fitness, nutrition, and mental well-being. His articles aim to help readers lead healthier lives.
