Ask the Expert: What you need to know about mumps
As of Jan. 26, more than 300 cases of mumps have been reported in Washington State, the latest outbreak of a preventable disease. According to the Washington State Department of Health, King County, which includes Seattle, accounts for more than half of cases, with Spokane County second. Of note, those two counties are not contiguous, but in fact are more than 250 miles apart.
Actually, this outbreak of mumps in Washington State is nothing new. There have been several outbreaks in recent years, including a multi-year outbreak in New York City in 2009-2010 involving more than 3,000 people, and another in 2006 involving more than 6,500 reported cases across the Midwest. Mumps outbreaks can occur any time of year, and in any location.
What causes mumps?
Mumps is caused by a virus that is spread from person to person by respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing, or by sharing utensils, cups or cigarettes. Mumps can be spread from an infected person to others before they feel ill. In fact, it can take 2-3 weeks to start showing symptoms once infected. Because the illness is viral, there is no specific medical treatment. The best way to limit the spread of mumps is by prevention. Before the U.S. mumps vaccination program started in 1967, about 186,000 cases of mumps were reported each year. Since that time there has been over a 99-percent decrease in mumps cases in the United States.
What are the symptoms of mumps? Is it serious?
Mumps can be serious, though most recover in a few weeks. The classic symptom of mumps is parotitis, which is swelling of the salivary gland below the ear either on one or both sides. Additional symptoms can include muscle aches, fatigue, headache and low-grade fever. Some with mumps may feel extremely ill and be unable to eat because of jaw pain.
Men and adolescent boys can develop pain or swelling in their testicles, which can result in sterility. Rarely, the virus can cause meningitis, permanent deafness, and inflammation around the brain (encephalitis) which can lead to permanent disability.
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What action should we take to prevent mumps now?
The best way to prevent mumps is through obtaining the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine. The MMR vaccine prevents most, but not all, cases of mumps and complications caused by the disease. The CDC recommends two doses of MMR vaccine in childhood, with the first dose given between 12 and 15 months of age, and the second between 4 and 6 years of age. If someone does not have a record of their vaccinations, then there is a blood test called a titer that can be performed to show if that person has immunity to mumps.
Other methods of prevention include performing good hand washing techniques, not sharing food or drinks with others and washing surfaces or objects that are touched by others.
If you hear of a mumps outbreak in your area, call your doctor to find out if a titer or booster vaccine is recommended.
Justin Whitt, MD, FAAFP, is the program director for the IU Health Ball Memorial Physicians Family Medicine Residency Center. He has been with the program since 2009 and the director since 2013. For more information, visit iuhealth.org/ball-memorial.