Mumps - General Information

Mumps in Arizona

Mumps is uncommon in Arizona.  As of October 1, 2006, only three confirmed cases have been reported in the state for 2006. 

December 2005 saw the beginning of a mumps outbreak in Iowa that soon spread to multiple other states. As of October 2006, over 5,783 confirmed and probable cases of mumps have been detected across 45 states in conjunction with the outbreak. Arizona was not part of this outbreak. Mumps cases peaked in late April and the number of reported cases per week decreased from that point through September. With the return of students to college, however, new clusters were reported at three campuses in the Midwest.

The following information was taken from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention mumps FAQ.

What is mumps?

Mumps is an infection caused by the mumps virus. 

Who can get mumps?

Anyone who is not immune from either previous mumps infection or from vaccination can get mumps. Before the routine vaccination program was introduced in the United States, mumps was a common illness in infants, children and young adults. Because most people have been vaccinated, mumps is now a rare disease in the United States. Of those people who do get mumps, up to half have very mild or even no symptoms.

How is mumps spread?

Mumps is spread by mucus or droplets from the nose or throat of an infected person, usually when a person coughs or sneezes. Surfaces of items can also spread the virus if someone who is sick touches the item without washing their hands and then someone else touches the same surface before rubbing their eyes, mouth, or nose.

What are the symptoms of mumps?

The most common symptoms are fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness and loss of appetite followed by onset of parotitis (swollen and tender salivary glands under the ears-on one or both sides).

How soon after infection do symptoms appear?

Symptoms typically appear 16-18 days after infection, but this period can range from 12-25 days after infection.

How long can someone spread mumps?

Mumps virus has been isolated from the respiratory secretions of infected individuals from 3 days before the start of symptoms until 9 days after onset.

What are the complications associated with mumps?

The most common complication is the inflammation of the testicles (orchitis) in males who have reached puberty, but this rarely leads to fertility problems.

Other rare complications include:

• Inflammation of the brain and/or tissue covering the brain and spinal cord (encephalitis/meningitis)
• Inflammation of the ovaries (oophoritis) and/or breasts (mastitis) in females who have reached puberty
• Spontaneous abortion particularly in early pregnancy (miscarriage)
• Deafness, usually permanent

What is the treatment for mumps?

There is no specific treatment. Supportive care should be given as needed. If someone becomes very ill, they should seek medical attention. If someone seeks medical attention, they should call their doctor in advance so that they don't have to sit in the waiting room for a long time and possibly infect other patients.

What can be done to prevent the spread of mumps?

Mumps vaccine (usually MMR), is the best way to prevent mumps. Other things people can do to prevent mumps and other infections is to wash hands well and often with soap, and to teach children to wash their hands too. Eating utensils should not be shared, and surfaces that are frequently touched (toys, doorknobs, tables, counters, etc.) should also be regularly cleaned with soap and water, or with cleaning wipes.