Mumps

What is it ?

Mumps is a viral infection of the salivary glands. This disease mainly affects children.

Disease transmission

The mumps virus is transmitted by direct or indirect contact with those infected, through coughing or nose and throat secretions.

Geographic risk zone

Cases of mumps are diagnosed annually in many regions of the world, but more systematic vaccination has led to a major decline in the number of cases observed.

Symptoms description

Moderate fever
General discomfort
Pain in the ears
Sensitivity in the salivary glands
Headache
Swollen glands

Health impact

Mumps is a relatively harmless disease which primarily affects children. If contracted by an adult, however, the virus can result in serious complications, including meningitis and deafness. It can also cause sterility in men and inflammation of the ovaries in women.

Risks

Since the first mumps vaccine was licensed in 1969, the number of cases has decline by nearly 99%.
The average annual number of reported cases declined from 34,000 in the 1950s to less than 400 by the early 1990s.

Prevention

The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is 90% effective against these diseases. This vaccine is part of Quebec’s province-wide basic immunization program, and is available free of charge at the Clinique Santé-voyage de la Fondation du CHUM. Visitors are required to pay an administrative fee ($ 5.00).

The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that all travellers consult a travel health specialist before they go abroad. Your specialist will be able to advise you about various resources and options available so that you can protect yourself effectively against these diseases.

Vaccination : mumps

Yes

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Recommended products

None

Nota Bene

The mumps virus incubates in the body for 15 to 24 days before the first symptoms appear.
In one out of 3 cases, the person infected by this disease will not experience any symptoms.
The virus is now under control, thanks to vaccination...which is why it is important to continue our efforts to eradicate this disease.
Contracting mumps when you are an adult may lead to serious complications such as meningitis and deafness. In men it can cause sterility, and can produce inflammation of the ovaries in women.