It is less communicable than measles or chickenpox. One attack usually confers permanent immunity, even though only one salivary gland has been enlarged. Gland swelling reaches maximum about the 2nd day. Both parotid glands are involved in most cases. Occasionally, the submaxillary and sublingual glands also swell.
Prognosis is excellent in uncomplicated mumps.
Complications Particularly in postpubertal patients, the diseas may involve organs other than the salivary glands. Some testicular atrophy may ensure, but sterility is a rare outcome. Headache, stiff neck and CSF pleocytosis is common in mumps. Toward the end of the first week, a few patients may have sudden severe nausea and vomiting, with abdominal pain that is most severe in the epigastrium, suggesting pancreatitis. Diagnosis Diagnosis of typical cases during an epidemic is easy, but sporadic cases are more difficult to detect.