MUMPS - QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
Q: What is the current mumps situation
in Ireland?
A: Since early November 2004 there has
been an increase in mumps cases among
teenagers and young adults. This is more
than double the number reported for the
first 10 months of 2004. The cases appear
to be occurring mainly in individuals who
were never immunised or only received
one dose of MMR (the vaccine that
contains mumps vaccine).
A significant increase in the number of
cases of Mumps has occurred in UCC
since the start of 2008
Q: How does a person get infected from
mumps?
A: Mumps is a viral disease transmitted
by airborne or direct contact with infected
droplets or saliva from an infected person.
Humans are the only known host of the
mumps virus.
Q: I had contact with some people who
have been diagnosed mumps. What are
the symptoms of mumps?
A: The symptoms of mumps may develop
14 to 25 days following exposure to an
infected person. Mumps can be
asymptomatic and there is evidence that
40-50% of mumps infections are
associated with non-specific symptoms
(slight fever, muscle ache, loss of appetite,
tiredness, headache) or primarily
respiratory symptoms, especially in
children less than five years.
Fever may last 3-4 days and the parotid
gland (located just in front and below the
ear) often swells (swelling may be on one
side or both sides of the jaw). Symptoms
usually last 7-10 days. In almost 30% of
the symptomatic cases there is other
salivary glands swelling. If there are no
complications, the illness recovers
spontaneously.
Q: What are the complications of
mumps?
A: Inflammation of testicles (orchitis)
happens in 20 - 50% of the cases. It
affects both testicles in about 20% of the
cases. Infertility after infection is rare.
Inflammation of the ovaries (oophoritis)
and/or of the breast (mastitis) is
uncommon and is not associated with any
long-lasting consequences for the patient.
Pancreatitis is reported in about 4% of
the cases. Symptomatic meningitis is
reported in up to 15% of the cases (this
tends to be a mild and self-limiting
complication). Encephalitis without
meningitis is reported in approximately 5
out of 100,000 patients with mumps.
Q: I already had mumps (parotid
swelling) some time ago. Am I protected
for life even if in contact with a mumps
case?
A: Parotid swelling can be caused by
other viruses and diseases as well, so you
may not be protected. Having a laboratory
diagnosis (through either a blood or
salivary test) is the only certain way to
diagnose mumps infection. If you had a
laboratory diagnosis of mumps you will
not get infected.
Q: I am pregnant and was in contact
with a mumps case. What are the risks
for my baby and myself?
A: If you are immune (either through
previous infection or through vaccination)
you do not need to worry. You will not get
the infection.
It is reported that acquisition of mumps
during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy is
associated with an increased risk of
spontaneous abortion. Malformations
following mumps virus infection during
pregnancy have not been found. The risks
for the mother are the same as for the
other adults.
Pregnant women should not receive
mumps vaccine (i.e. not receive MMR
vaccine). Women who are not pregnant
and receive MMR vaccine should avoid
pregnancy for two months after
vaccination. You should speak with your
GP if you have concerns.
Q: How can I protect myself from
mumps?
A: Mumps can be prevented by
vaccination. In Ireland the MMR vaccine
is provided with the measles and rubella
vaccinations (MMR) at the age of 12-15
months and 4-5 years. It is a good idea for
individuals to keep records of their own
vaccination status for future reference.
Individuals who might be at risk because
they are not immune (never had mumps
nor two MMR doses) should avoid contact
with a mumps case.
In 3rd level colleges where outbreaks are
occurring, students between the ages of
16-24 years of age with no history of a
2nd dose of MMR are advised to contact
their own GPs or their Student Health
Centre about vaccination.
Q: I am not a child, am I at risk of
getting mumps?
A: Mumps is a disease that occurs in
adults as well as in children. However,
people in the older age groups (e.g. 25
years of age and older) are usually
protected as a result of natural infection.
Q: I do not know if I had mumps
vaccination in the past, where should I
go and check for information on my
vaccination status?
A: You can ask your GP if he/she has
records of your vaccinations.
Q: When did the mumps vaccine
become available in Ireland?
Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) vaccine
was introduced in Ireland in 1988 as part
of the routine childhood immunisation
programme.
Important dates relating to MMR vaccine
usage in Ireland:
MMR introduced into routine
childhood immunisation
1988
programme (for children, aged
15 months)
Second dose of MMR vaccine
1992 introduced for 11-12 year old
children*
The age for second MMR dose
1999
dropped to 4-5 years of age*
*Since 1999, there has been some regional
variation in the school based vaccination
programmes. Some health boards have offered
vaccination at 11-12 years of age as well as 4-5
years of age. In some areas catch-up campaigns
were organised.
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Most children born after 1980 are
likely to have had at least one
dose of MMR vaccine (it was
introduced in 1992 for for the 1112 year old children);
Children born after 1994 are likely
to have been offered two doses of
MMR vaccine (both at 15 months
and again in school at 4-5 years of
age);
During the Measles and Rubella
vaccination campaign in 1995,
school children (mainly aged 5-12
years) were offered MeaslesRubella (MR) vaccine. This
vaccine did not contain a
mumps-containing vaccine, and,
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therefore would not protect against
mumps;
Individuals who have had only one
dose of MMR may not be immune
to mumps. Two doses of MMR
vaccine are recommended for all
children to ensure high levels of
immunity to measles, mumps,
and rubella.
In those colleges where mumps
outbreaks are currently occurring,
students less than 25 years of age
who have not received at least two
doses of MMR vaccine, are being
recommended MMR.
Q: Can I get mumps or orchitis
(testicular swelling) from the vaccine?
A: Occasionally, about 10-14 days after
the MMR vaccination some individuals
develop a mild form of mumps, with low
fever and swelling of the parotid or other
salivary glands. This is not infectious.
This may occur in between 1-2% of
vaccine recipients. Orchitis post
vaccination is extremely rare.
Q: Is there any test to confirm if I had
mumps in the past, or if I am immune
to mumps?
A: Confirmation of being immune to
mumps is possible through a blood or
salivary test. These tests detect the level of
antibodies to the mumps virus. These tests
are not routinely available.
Q: Is there any treatment for mumps?
A: There is no specific treatment for
mumps. Treatment should be based on
relieving the symptoms.
Q: If I develop mumps am I infectious
to others? What should I do?
A: If you develop mumps you may be
infectious to others (non-immune) from
about 4 days before to 5 days after parotid
swelling. Individuals are advised not to
attend college for 5 days after the parotid
swelling first started in view of the
possibility of transmitting virus to nonimmune individuals.