Viruses Genomes - MUMPS VIRUS
Mumps virus causes Mumps
Mumps is a viral infection that primarily affects the parotid glands, one of three pairs of salivary glands, located below and in front of your ears. Infection can also occur in
the pancreas, ovaries, or testes. Mumps primarily affects children between the ages of 5-9 years
although older people may contract the disease.
Humans are the only known natural host for mumps virus.
Transmission of mumps occurs through airborne transmission or direct contact with infected saliva
or discharges from the
nose and throat of infected individuals. The infectious period is considered to be from 3 days before to the 4th day after onset of the disease.
Approximately one-third of infected people do not exhibit symptoms.
Mumps is generally a mild, self-limiting disease however complications can be potentially serious. These include:
- Orchitis which is an inflammatory condition causing swelling to one or both testicles. Orchitis is painful, but only in rare cases leads to sterility.
- Pancreatitis which causes swelling of the pancreas. Signs and symptoms of pancreatitis include pain in the upper abdomen, nausea and vomiting.
- Encephalitis which is inflammation of the brain. Encephalitis can lead to neurological problems and become life-threatening. Although serious, encephalitis is a rare complication of mumps.
- Meningitis which causes infection and inflammation of the membranes and fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It can occur if the mumps virus spreads through the bloodstream to infect the central nervous system. Like encephalitis, meningitis is a rare complication of mumps.
- Inflammation of the ovaries. Pain in the lower abdomen in women may be a symptom of this problem. Fertility doesn't seem to be affected.
- In rare cases, mumps can cause temporary or permanent hearing loss in one or both ears.
Uncomplicated mumps illness is treated with bed rest and care at home and the use of non-prescriptive pain relief.
Immunity acquired after contracting the disease is usually permanent. Immunisation programmes have resulted in an overall decline in
the incidence of mumps however due to parental concern over the safety of the MMR (combined measles. mumps and rubella) vaccination
adopted in the UK and many other countries, together with insufficient vaccine programmes in the early 1980's, the incidence of mumps is rising again.
References:
http://edition.cnn.com/HEALTH/library/DS/00125.html
http://virology-online.com/viruses/MUMPS.htm
http://www.who.int/vaccines/en/mumps.shtml
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/mumps.html
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