Characterised by fever and swollen salivary glands, mumps is rare in Australia thanks to widespread immunisation programs. However outbreaks can still occur.
What is it?
Mumps is a viral infection caused by the mumps Rubulavirus which leads to fever and swollen salivary glands. Once a common disease in children and young adults, mumps is now uncommon in Australia thanks to widespread immunisation programs, however cases still occur.
If the inflammation (swelling) caused by mumps spreads to other parts of the body, then serious, sometimes fatal complications can develop.
What are the symptoms?
Mumps symptoms generally occur 12 to 25 days after infection and can include:
- fever
- headache
- generally feeling unwell
- muscle aches and pains
- loss of appetite
- swelling of the salivary glands (located just in front of the ear)
- painful chewing or swallowing.
Most people with mumps recover completely within a couple of weeks.
Serious complications with mumps can include meningitis (swelling of the brain and spinal cord) and deafness due to nerve damage. Other parts of the body can be affected, resulting in swelling and pain. This includes the testicles, breast, ovaries, heart, liver, thyroid and pancreas. During the first three months of pregnancy, mumps infection may result in miscarriage.
This is not a full list of symptoms that can occur following mumps infection. Please speak to a healthcare professional if you have any concerns about mumps infection.
How is it spread?
Mumps can be spread from person to person through the air, such as when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It can also be spread through close contact with an infected person via saliva or urine. Some people who are infected with the virus may not have any symptoms or very mild symptoms and may spread the disease without knowing.
People infected with mumps are contagious for up to 2 days before and for up to 5 days after symptoms appear.
Who is at risk?
Since the introduction of the mumps vaccine in Australia, mumps is now uncommon. However, mumps cases are still reported worldwide and anyone who has not been immunised for mumps may be at a higher risk of mumps infection, particularly those who travel to certain countries where mumps cases still occur.
Other people may be at risk of mumps infection. Please speak to a healthcare professional regarding your individual circumstances.
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PM-AU-AVX-WCNT-190042 Date of GSK Approval: January 2021