Mumps: current outbreaks and vaccination recommendations.

Mumps is a moderately infectious disease caused by a virus of the paramyxovirus group. The infection is spread by airborne droplets and possibly also by urine. The first symptoms occur after an incubation period of 15-24 days (median 19 days) (Richardson et al, 2001). After a prodromal (warning signs) period of several days with non-specific flu-like symptoms of headache and fever, the classic swelling of the parotid glands (salivary glands) develops. The swelling may be unilateral or, in 90 per cent of cases, bilateral. It is accompanied by abdominal pain and headache and usually resolves in 7-10 days. However, there may be other symptoms of mumps without parotid swelling. Almost one-third of mumps infections are subclinical or mild, with non-specific symptoms, and are never diagnosed as mumps (Gupta et al, 2005).