Podcast #187: Mumps

Author: Gretchen Hinson M.D.

Educational Pearls:

• The key imaging of a mumps patient is “chipmunk cheeks” or parotitis.
• The swelling can extend almost to the ears and can be extremely painful - in about 25% of cases the swelling is unilateral.
• Other organs can be involved as well including: testicles, ovaries, breast tissue, other salivary glands, and the brain/spinal cord.
• Mumps is transmitted through droplets in the air.
• Two immunizations will get you 88% probability immunity and one immunization will get you 78% probability of immunity. Yet, immunity can wane and there can be viral strains not covered by the immunization.
• Mumps outbreaks are common in the winter season because of close quarters.
• You can test for Mumps using an IGM blood test, (more likely to see a spike in this if the patient is not vaccinated) Buckle swabs, & Urine test.

References: https://www.cdc.gov/mumps/index.html