CLINICAL DESCRIPTION

Mumps is a viral illness characterized by acute onset of unilateral or bilateral tender, self-limited swelling of the parotid or other salivary gland (without other apparent cause), usually lasting 7 to 10 days. However, approximately one third of infections fail to produce clinically apparent swelling. The disease is frequently (30% of the time) complicated by orchitis in postpubertal males and mastitis in females older than 15 years. The period of communicability is usually 1 to 2 days, but may be as long as 7 days prior to the onset of parotid swelling, and 5 to 9 days after onset. The incubation period usually is from 14 to 18 days, but cases may occur from 12 to 25 days after exposure.

NOTE: Requires investigative work-up with clinical and laboratory information supporting the diagnosis.

1. CONFIRMED
   

   A clinically compatible case AND is either epidemiologically linked to another confirmed or probable case OR confirmed by:

   • viral isolation; OR

   • fourfold or greater rise in antibody titer in acute and convalescent sera tested at the same laboratory; OR

   • positive CF antibody against the soluble component of mumps virus;

   • positive mumps IgM antibody.

2. PROBABLE
   
   • A probable case has the symptoms described above, is not epidemiologically linked to a confirmed case, and has no laboratory confirmation.

3. POSSIBLE
   
   

   • Not used

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