Overview
- Like measles, mumps is caused by a paramyxovirus and affects only humans. The word “mumps” may relate to an old English term meaning grimace or mumble.
- Mumps was first described by Hippocrates (460–377 B.C.) in his book Epidemics, noting swelling around the ears and painful swelling of the testes. Central nervous system involvement was reported by R Hamilton in 1790 in Scotland.
- Being less contagious than measles, an infected individual may transmit mumps to 10–12 susceptible persons from 3–4 days before onset until 2 days after symptom onset.
- Several live virus strains were developed as vaccine strains. Jeryl Lynn and its derivative RIT-4385 are widely used in industrialized countries, while L-Zagreb is common in non-industrialized regions.
- The clinical value of mumps vaccines is evaluated based on impact data, as the interpretation of serological data is not fully understood.
