6 questions to know about mumps

This is an automatically translated article.

The article is professionally consulted by Master. Doctor Nguyen Thi Nhat - Doctor of Infectious Diseases - Department of Medical Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital. The doctor has more than 10 years of experience in the field of artificial kidneys, and in the field of infectious diseases, examining and managing patients with kidney disease and infectious diseases.
Mumps is an acute infectious disease caused by a paramyxovirus. The classic symptom of mumps is inflammation of the parotid gland and some other non-specific manifestations. Here are 6 answers to questions related to mumps that are of great interest to many people.

Question 1: What is the MMR vaccine?

Currently, mumps vaccine monotherapy is no longer widely used in medical facilities. Instead, experts recommend giving children 2 doses of the live MMR combination vaccine to protect against the three measles-mumps-rubella diseases.
First dose: Children 12 - 15 months old; 2nd dose: School age children 4-6 years old. Some healthcare workers who have direct and long-term contact with patients are advised to receive a third dose to increase protection against mumps as well as dangerous complications.
It should be noted that 2 doses of MMR vaccine does not provide 100% protection against mumps, in other words, the mumps vaccine component in MMR is less effective against measles and rubella. Mumps vaccine efficacy has been estimated at a mean of 78% for 1 dose and 88% for 2 doses. Therefore, despite being fully vaccinated, people still need to take personal hygiene and health protection steps to reduce the risk of contracting the virus, as well as learn about the symptoms of mumps, especially the symptoms of mumps. non-specific manifestations, for timely examination and treatment.

Question 2: I have been vaccinated but still have mumps. Is the mumps vaccine ineffective?

Answer: The MMR vaccine prevents most cases of mumps, but it does not prevent it completely, meaning that people who have been vaccinated still have a small risk of getting mumps and experiencing complications from it. disease caused. Subjects who received two full doses of the MMR vaccine were approximately nine times less likely to develop mumps than unvaccinated subjects who were also exposed to the mumps virus. However, some people who have had two doses of MMR can still get mumps, especially during direct and prolonged contact with the patient. If you get mumps while you're vaccinated, it's likely to be less severe than if you weren't vaccinated.

Question 3: Is mumps dangerous?

Answer: Mumps can be dangerous, but most people who get mumps make a full recovery within 2 weeks. During mumps infection, patients often feel fatigue and pain, accompanied by fever (lasting 3-4 days) and swelling of the salivary glands in one or both ears (this is the most classic symptom). and can last from 2 - 10 days). There are also cases of patients feeling extremely weak and unable to eat because of jaw pain. A few will experience serious complications, such as:
Orchitis and epididymitis: This complication has an incidence of 20-35% in post-pubertal people with mumps, often occurs. 7 to 10 days after parotid gland inflammation, but can also occur before or at the same time. The testicles are swollen, painful, and the epididymis is swollen like a normal string. Inflammation and fever persist for 3-7 days, after which in about 50% of cases the testicles atrophy and can lead to decreased sperm count and infertility.
Pulmonary Infarction: Is a condition in which an area of ​​the lung is deprived of blood supply, which can progress to necrosis of lung tissue. Pulmonary infarction is a possible complication of mumps orchitis as a result of thrombosis from the prostate vein.
Ovarian inflammation: There is a rate of 7% in girls after puberty, rarely leading to infertility.
Pancreatitis: There is a rate of 3% - 7%, is a severe manifestation of mumps. Patients have severe abdominal pain, nausea, sometimes low blood pressure.
Nerve damage: Encephalitis has a rate of 0.5%, patients have phenomena such as: mood changes, irritability, irritability, headache, convulsions, perceptual disturbances, visual disturbances sensation, large head due to hydrocephalus. Cranial nerve damage leads to deafness, decreased vision, transverse myelitis, and polyneuritis.
Mumps in pregnancy: Women who get mumps in the first 3 months of pregnancy can cause miscarriage or give birth to a malformed baby, in the last 3 months of pregnancy can give birth prematurely or stillbirth.
Some other complications: Myocarditis, thyroiditis, lacrimal gland inflammation, optic neuritis (causes temporary loss of vision), laryngitis, pneumonia, liver dysfunction, hemorrhage due to decreased platelets.

Question 4: Why is it necessary to isolate people with mumps?

Answer: Patients with mumps should avoid contact with others during the period when the disease is most contagious, namely for at least 5 days from when the salivary glands begin to swell. Patients should not go to work, school, or participate in any social events. Instead, people with mumps should stay home to rest and limit contact with people who are living together, it is recommended to sleep in a separate room if possible. Isolation during mumps is an important requirement to avoid spreading the virus to others. People infected with mumps will not get sick right away because the incubation period ranges from 12-25 days. It can take 2 to 4 weeks for the symptoms of mumps to appear.

Question 5: What are the measures to prevent mumps from spreading?

A: In addition to staying away from others while having mumps, a patient can help prevent the virus from spreading by:
Covering mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, and then throwing away the used tissue. use in the trash. If a tissue is not available, cough or sneeze into your sleeve or upper elbow instead of your hands; Wash your hands often with water and antibacterial soap; Avoid sharing objects that can be contaminated with saliva, such as water bottles or dishes; Disinfect surfaces that the sick person frequently touches, such as toys, doorknobs, or countertops.

Question 6: What should patients do when they have mumps?

Answer: Clean teeth, eat easily digestible foods, relieve local pain by warm swelling area, relieve body pain and reduce fever with paracetamol. Testicular inflammation. Wear testicle lifting underwear to relieve pain, rest is key, limit movement. It is necessary to update the MMR vaccination history of the patient and all family members. The doctor may recommend additional doses for those who are at high risk for mumps because of close contact with the patient, such as:
Sharing sports equipment; Sharing food or drinks; Kissed the patient; Live in an area where people are infected. Even people who have received 2 doses of MMR still need to contact their doctor to be monitored if they are in the above-risk group. Patients should immediately go to a medical facility for diagnosis if there are signs of suspected mumps infection.
In general, whether or not there is an outbreak of mumps, frequent hand washing with water and antibacterial soap, as well as proper health care, are important steps everyone should take to avoid catching the disease. disease and transmit the virus to others.

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Reference source: Cdc.gov