Question

Describe an infection caused by Mumps.

microbiology question

Answer 1

Answer: Mumps is an acute systemic viral illlness characterized by the swelling of one or more of the salivary glands typically the parotid glands. The illness is caused by the RNA virus Rubula virus within the genus paramyxovirus and family paramyxoviridae. The virus have a single stranted -ve sense RNA surrounded by a glycoprotein envelope. The RNA viral envolep have 2 glycoprotein, one mediates neuraminidase and other is responsible for fusion to the lipid membrane of host cell. The encapsidated genome contain 7 tandemly linked transcription unit.

Intial infection: Mumps virus is transmitted via respiratory route by inhalation or oral contact with infected respiratory droplets or secretions.

Systemic spread: The mumps virus is able to disseminate systemically in body and infect upper respiratory mucosa, the virus spread to regional lymph nodes resulting in viraemia during acute phases.

Symptoms : Usually mumps virus have either no sigbs or symptoms or very mild ones in most of infected people. The symptoms usually appear 2-3 weeks after exposure to the virus.

1. The primary sign is swollen salivary glands that cause cheek to puff out and pain in those swollen areas.

2. Pain while chewing or swallowing.

3.Fever

4. Headache

5. Muscle ache

6. Weakness and fatigue

7. Loss of apetite

The complications in this disease are rare but are potentially serious, when inflammation and swelling on other parts of body

1. Testicles ( Orchitis) : Swelling of testicles of male who reached puberty it rarely cause sterility.

2. Brain(Encephalitis ) : This can cause neurological problems and become life threatening.

3. Membranes and fluid around the brain and spinal cord

4. Pancreas( Pancreatitis) : Pain in upper abdomen, nausea and vomiting.

Many other issues are seen associated with this disease like Hearing loss, Heart problems, Miscarriage but these are very rare.

Prevention : The best method is to take two dose of MMR ( measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine between ages 12-15 months and between ages of 4-6 years.