1. What is mumps?

Mumps (epidemic parotitis) is a viral infectious disease caused by the mumps virus. Humans are the only reservoir, and the source of infection can be both a sick person and an asymptomatically infected person.

Infection occurs mainly by airborne droplets / by contact with respiratory secretions and saliva, less often indirectly (e.g., through shared objects contaminated with secretions).

The incubation period is usually about 16–18 days, most often in the range of approx. 12–25 days (different ranges are given in various studies). Most at risk are: unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated people, as well as adolescents and young adults in environments with frequent close contact (e.g., schools, boarding schools, dormitories).

2. Symptoms of mumps

In some people, the infection may be asymptomatic (studies give approx. 20–30%). When symptoms appear, typical are: malaise, headache, muscle pain, fever, and then the most characteristic — painful swelling of the parotid glands (unilateral or bilateral).

How does the disease proceed? In most patients, mumps resolves spontaneously within a dozen or so days, but sometimes other organs are involved.

Possible complications include:

meningitis / (less often) encephalitis,
orchitis in adolescent boys and young men (described even in 30–40% in this group), which rarely affects fertility (especially with bilateral involvement),
hearing loss (very rarely permanent),
pancreatitis.

Urgent medical consultation is indicated particularly when the following appear: severe headache with meningeal symptoms (stiff neck), disturbances of consciousness, convulsions, severe vomiting/dehydration, very high fever, as well as severe pain and swelling of the testicles.

3. Where does mumps occur?

Mumps occurs all over the world. The risk is higher where MMR vaccination coverage is lower, and also in places favoring transmission (close, frequent contact).

For travelers, it is important that outbreaks occur also in countries with high vaccination coverage (e.g., outbreaks have been reported in several European countries in recent years). Therefore, the most important thing is not so much the "direction", but the immunization status (2 doses of MMR) before departure.

4. How to protect yourself against mumps?

A. General prevention

Avoid close contact with a sick person, do not drink from one cup/bottle, do not share food and cutlery.
Regular hand hygiene and ventilating rooms.
If there is a sick person at home: limit contact, consider a mask in close care and use separate dishes/towels.

B. Vaccination

The most effective method of prevention is vaccination. In practice, the combined MMR vaccine (measles-mumps-rubella) is used.

Type of vaccine: live, attenuated (weakened viruses in the MMR vaccine).
For whom recommended: all people without full immunization; especially important for adolescents and adults who do not have 2 doses of MMR (and for people in collective environments, students, travelers).
Schedule in Poland (children): 2 doses — 13–15 months of age and 6 years of age.
Catch-up (adults): standard aim is 2 doses (if there was no vaccination or it is uncertain); the interval between doses should be at least 4 weeks.
Booster doses: routine "boosters" are not used; a third dose may be recommended exclusively in an outbreak situation for persons indicated by sanitary services.
Contraindications (most important): due to the live vaccine, MMR is not given, among others, in pregnancy and with significant immune deficiencies — decision always at qualification.

5. Summary

Mumps usually has a mild course, but can lead to complications (especially in adolescents and adults), so it is worth having full immunization (2 doses of MMR). Vaccination should be particularly considered by adults without 2 doses of MMR, people in collective environments, and travelers. If you are planning a trip, it is best to complete the vaccination in advance — so as to (if necessary) manage to take 2 doses at an interval of min. 4 weeks before travel.