Mumps (Epidemic Parotitis)
Mumps was recognized as a distinct clinical entity by the ancients. In ‘Of the Epidemics’, Hippocrates described mumps as follows: ‘Swellings appeared about the ears in many on either side, and in the greatest number on both sides…. inflammations with pains seized sometimes one of the testicles, and sometimes both.’
Mumps was not considered a serious disease, although surprisingly large literature has appeared on the subject.
Contrary to measles, varicella, and pertussis, mumps is not a highly contagious disease, rarely afflicting infants. The majority of cases occur between five and ten years of age and 30 to 40 percent of the cases have inapparent infections.
Complications include testicular swelling and encephalitis, usually not succeeded by any residuals. Contrary to belief, mumps is rarely a cause of male sterility.
Because mumps is not a highly contagious disease, many children escape infection. Under certain circumstances epidemics of the disease occur among adults.
Mumps (Epidemic Parotitis)
