mumpsvirus

Mumps virus is a member of the genus Rubulavirus in the family Paramyxoviridae. It is an enveloped, single-stranded, negative-sense RNA virus that causes mumps, an acute systemic infection most often presenting with swelling of the parotid salivary glands. The genome is about 15,400 nucleotides long and encodes six structural proteins—N, P, M, F, HN, and L—with additional nonstructural products (V and W) produced from the P gene by RNA editing. The virion features surface HN and F glycoproteins responsible for attachment and fusion, and replication occurs in the cytoplasm with assembly at the plasma membrane and budding from the cell surface.

Transmission occurs primarily through respiratory droplets and direct contact with saliva or fomites. The virus is generally contagious from several days before to several days after the onset of parotitis, with peak transmission around the time of glandular swelling. After infection, many individuals may experience fever, malaise, and reduced appetite in addition to glandular swelling; complications can occur, including aseptic meningitis, encephalitis, pancreatitis, orchitis or oophoritis, and, rarely, sensorineural hearing loss.

Diagnosis is usually clinical but can be confirmed by laboratory testing such as RT-PCR on throat or nasopharyngeal swabs or saliva, or serology showing anti-mumps IgM or a rise in IgG. There is no specific antiviral therapy; management is supportive, with isolation to reduce spread.

Prevention relies on vaccination with measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) or MMRV vaccines. Two-dose vaccination provides strong protection and has markedly reduced disease incidence in many populations; outbreaks may still occur in undervaccinated groups, emphasizing the role of immunization and surveillance in controlling transmission.