Diseases
> Mumps
Mumps -
In short
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Description
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An infection of the salivary glands caused by a virus.
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Symptoms
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Fever,
headache, muscle ache, and swelling
of the glands close to the jaw.
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Complications
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Meningitis,
inflammation of the testicles or ovaries,
inflammation of the pancreas and deafness
(usually permanent).
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Transmission
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Spread
by coughing and sneezing
Mumps
is about as contagious as influenza and rubella, but less
so than measles or chickenpox. It is generally transmitted
from about 3 days before symptoms appear to about 4 days
after, although the virus has been isolated from saliva
as early as 7 days before to as late as 9 days after onset
of symptoms.
The
virus replicates in the nasopharynx and lymph nodes of the
infected person. Transmission is airborne or through direct
contact with infected droplets or saliva.
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Vaccine
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Mumps
vaccine (contained in MMR) can prevent
this disease.
As
an adult, you do NOT need the measles,
mumps, rubella vaccine (MMR) if:
- You
had blood tests that show you are
immune to measles, mumps, and rubella.
- You
are a man born before 1957.
- You
are a woman born before 1957 who
is sure she is not having more children,
has already had rubella vaccine,
or has had a positive rubella test.
- You
already had two doses of MMR or
one dose of MMR plus a second dose
of measles vaccine.
- You
already had one dose of MMR and
are not at high risk of measles exposure.
As
an adult, you SHOULD get the measles
vaccine if you are not among the categories
listed above, and
- You
are a college student, trade school
student, or other student beyond
high school.
- You
work in a hospital or other medical
facility.
- You
travel internationally, or are a
passenger on a cruise ship.
- You
are a woman of childbearing age.
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