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Mumps: Why does it take an epidemic?
The recent outbreak of mumps in Iowa and seven other Mid-western states is causing an increased demand for the vaccine for the unimmunized. Periodically, nature likes to get our attention and remind us that many of the diseases of the past are still with us. In 2002, there were only 270 reported cases of mumps in the U.S. The Midwest outbreak alone has recorded over a thousand cases so far - the most reported cases in over twenty years. A short plane ride away in England, there were nearly 100,000 reported cases.
The rapid spread of infectious diseases, including this recent mumps outbreak, is due in part to our ability to travel. Before the advent of vaccines, epidemics in the past were often contained by simple quarantine.
If there was a mumps outbreak in one town, the health authorities simply quarantined the town until the outbreak was over. If your child had mumps, local health officers would visit and tack a mumps quarantine sign on your door, warning people to stay away. It was too late for quarantines to contain the 1918 Influenza Pandemic. The flu virus was spread along railroad routes and shipping lines throughout the world. It took over a year for the virus to have global impact. Today, a pandemic strain of flu could become global in a few weeks.
Unfortunately, many viral illnesses are most contagious one or two days BEFORE the classic signs of the illness show up. People inadvertently spread the disease during this asymptomatic period, especially in close quarters, such as an airplane or college classroom/dorm. Mumps can be contagious up to a WEEK before the classic facial swelling occurs.
Mumps is spread by respiratory droplets - a stray sneeze, cough, or any object that is contaminated by these droplets (desks, chairs, tables, door knobs, tissues, etc.). The incubation period can be 12-25 days from the moment of exposure.
Just like nearly every child born in the 1950's, I had an uncomplicated case of mumps in kindergarten. I vividly remember wearing a cotton bandage around my tender cheeks, tied at the top of my head, like some sort of deranged rabbit. I am not sure why I was bandaged, but people felt that it would keep the swelling down (it doesn't).
Mumps affects the salivary glands, usually the parotids, located directly in front of the ears. The salivary glands under the jaw can also be affected. Flu-like symptoms of fever, loss of appetite, and generalized body aches are common. Home diagnosis was made by the "pickle test". My grandmother offered me a sour pickle to eat which resulted in a painful, salivary response. A lemon would also work. We now use serological laboratory tests. Insurance companies do not cover pickles.
Most cases of mumps are not serious; however, there can be serious complications in up to 10% of those affected. Complications such as encephalitis and meningitis are not likely to be life-threatening, but mumps can result in permanent deafness. I had a wonderful couple in my practice that lost their hearing due to childhood mumps.
Mumps can also cause orchitis and oophoritis (painful swelling of the testicles or ovarians, depending on which ones you have). Sterility was always feared when this dreaded complication occurred, but fortunately this was rare.
A single dose of the live mumps vaccine (usually given in combination with measles and rubella - the MMR) will afford 80% immunity. A second MMR will boost this long-lasting immunity to 90%. Of course, if you actually get the disease, nature will grant you 100% immunity.
Children are given the first vaccine at one year; and the second dose at age 4-6 years. According to numerous studies and international statistics, the MMR vaccine is absolutely NOT linked to autism. Anyone who tells you otherwise is seriously misinformed.
Diseases that infected your parents and grandparents are still with us, and thrive just across our borders, or on the other end of your airline destination. Vaccines are safe, and are the best and only preventative measure that makes sense. If you are not immunized against mumps, then you are vulnerable. You better have a jar of sour pickles on hand.
Related Topics: CDC Mumps Information, Adult Immunizations
The rapid spread of infectious diseases, including this recent mumps outbreak, is due in part to our ability to travel. Before the advent of vaccines, epidemics in the past were often contained by simple quarantine.
If there was a mumps outbreak in one town, the health authorities simply quarantined the town until the outbreak was over. If your child had mumps, local health officers would visit and tack a mumps quarantine sign on your door, warning people to stay away. It was too late for quarantines to contain the 1918 Influenza Pandemic. The flu virus was spread along railroad routes and shipping lines throughout the world. It took over a year for the virus to have global impact. Today, a pandemic strain of flu could become global in a few weeks.
Unfortunately, many viral illnesses are most contagious one or two days BEFORE the classic signs of the illness show up. People inadvertently spread the disease during this asymptomatic period, especially in close quarters, such as an airplane or college classroom/dorm. Mumps can be contagious up to a WEEK before the classic facial swelling occurs.
Mumps is spread by respiratory droplets - a stray sneeze, cough, or any object that is contaminated by these droplets (desks, chairs, tables, door knobs, tissues, etc.). The incubation period can be 12-25 days from the moment of exposure.
Just like nearly every child born in the 1950's, I had an uncomplicated case of mumps in kindergarten. I vividly remember wearing a cotton bandage around my tender cheeks, tied at the top of my head, like some sort of deranged rabbit. I am not sure why I was bandaged, but people felt that it would keep the swelling down (it doesn't).
Mumps affects the salivary glands, usually the parotids, located directly in front of the ears. The salivary glands under the jaw can also be affected. Flu-like symptoms of fever, loss of appetite, and generalized body aches are common. Home diagnosis was made by the "pickle test". My grandmother offered me a sour pickle to eat which resulted in a painful, salivary response. A lemon would also work. We now use serological laboratory tests. Insurance companies do not cover pickles.
Most cases of mumps are not serious; however, there can be serious complications in up to 10% of those affected. Complications such as encephalitis and meningitis are not likely to be life-threatening, but mumps can result in permanent deafness. I had a wonderful couple in my practice that lost their hearing due to childhood mumps.
Mumps can also cause orchitis and oophoritis (painful swelling of the testicles or ovarians, depending on which ones you have). Sterility was always feared when this dreaded complication occurred, but fortunately this was rare.
A single dose of the live mumps vaccine (usually given in combination with measles and rubella - the MMR) will afford 80% immunity. A second MMR will boost this long-lasting immunity to 90%. Of course, if you actually get the disease, nature will grant you 100% immunity.
Children are given the first vaccine at one year; and the second dose at age 4-6 years. According to numerous studies and international statistics, the MMR vaccine is absolutely NOT linked to autism. Anyone who tells you otherwise is seriously misinformed.
Diseases that infected your parents and grandparents are still with us, and thrive just across our borders, or on the other end of your airline destination. Vaccines are safe, and are the best and only preventative measure that makes sense. If you are not immunized against mumps, then you are vulnerable. You better have a jar of sour pickles on hand.
Related Topics: CDC Mumps Information, Adult Immunizations
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1 Comments:
PLEASE TELL ME WHEN QUARANTINE SIGNS BEGAN AND ENDED
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