Adult Mumps: Risks, Symptoms, and Prevention - Otolaryngology

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Mumps, also known as parotitis, is a viral infection that primarily affects the salivary glands, leading to swelling, particularly of the parotid glands located near the jaw. It is important to understand the risks, symptoms, and prevention strategies associated with mumps, especially in adults, as the implications can be more severe compared to children.


Risks and Transmission
Mumps is highly contagious and spreads through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It can also be transmitted through direct contact with an infected person's saliva, which means that activities such as kissing can indeed pose a risk of transmission. If your boyfriend has been diagnosed with mumps, it is advisable to minimize close contact until he has fully recovered and is no longer contagious, which typically occurs about five days after the onset of symptoms.


Symptoms
The classic symptom of mumps is swelling of the salivary glands, which can cause pain and discomfort. Other symptoms may include fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, and loss of appetite. In adults, mumps can lead to more serious complications, such as orchitis (inflammation of the testicles), oophoritis (inflammation of the ovaries), and meningitis.

Complications in Adults
In adult males, the risk of orchitis is significant, occurring in about 20-30% of cases. Orchitis can lead to complications such as testicular atrophy, which may affect fertility, although this is rare. In females, while oophoritis can occur, it is less common than orchitis in males. The risk of infertility due to oophoritis is also low, but it can still occur.

Prevention
Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent mumps. The MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, rubella) is recommended for children and is also beneficial for adults who have not been vaccinated or have not had mumps. If you are concerned about potential exposure, it would be wise to consult with a healthcare provider about receiving the MMR vaccine. The vaccine is generally safe and can provide immunity against mumps, measles, and rubella.


Conclusion
Given your boyfriend's diagnosis and the potential for transmission, it is prudent to take precautions to avoid infection. If you are asymptomatic but have been in close contact, monitoring for any symptoms is essential. If you have not been vaccinated against mumps, consider discussing the MMR vaccine with your healthcare provider. While the risk of complications such as orchitis and oophoritis exists, they are not guaranteed outcomes of mumps infection. Maintaining good hygiene practices, such as frequent handwashing and avoiding close contact with infected individuals, can also help reduce the risk of transmission.