Synonyms in the broadest sense
mumps, parotitis epidemica
Definition
Mumps is caused by the mumps virus, which belongs to the group of paramyxoviruses. The acute, highly infectious (=contagious) viral disease is transmitted by droplet infection through direct contact or contact through saliva-contaminated objects from the diseased person. The main symptom is a painful inflammation of the salivary glands, which is present on both sides in 75% of cases.
EpidemiologyResources
The mumps virus is spread worldwide and causes disease outbreaks, especially in children during the cold season. After the age of 15, 90% of the population is immune to the mumps virus (i.e. was infected); this immunity lasts for life. 1/3 of those affected show no symptoms of the disease (= so-called clinically inapparent course).
Symptoms
After an incubation period of the virus in the body, which lasts from 12 to 25 days on average, a prodromal stage (= precursor stage) follows, during which patients have an elevated temperature, feel weak and powerless and may complain of headaches, neck and earaches. As the disease progresses, patients usually have high fever and a pronounced general feeling of illness. They suffer superficially from a painful inflammation of the salivary gland, which mainly affects the parotid gland (= parotid gland, Glandula parotis): the inflammation initially affects only one side and is impressive as a blurred, doughy swelling of the gland in front of and behind the ear.
The earlobe protrudes due to the swelling and the affected person complains of pain in this area, especially when chewing. After about 1-2 days, in 75% of cases the other side is also affected by the inflammatory process. In principle, the virus can affect all the glandular organs of the body, which is why the salivary glands below the tongue and the glands located on the lower jaw are often also affected. In addition, a so-called viral exanthema can occur, which is a reddish skin rash especially on the face.
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