Health Blog

Mumps

Until 1968, mumps was a common viral disorder among children. That year a vaccine became available and the disease seemed to be largely under control, with reported cases declining from 80 per 100,000 people in 1968 to less than 2 per 100,000 people in 1984. But between 1985 and 1987, mumps rates again surged due to public apathy and increases in numbers of unvaccinated children. Today the incidence of mumps, as well as of many other childhood diseases has begun to level off. Failure to vaccinate children due to public apathy, misinformation, and social and economic conditions is responsible for the rise. Approximately one half of all mumps infections are not apparent because they produce only minor symptoms. Large numbers of mumps cases are never reported, so actual incidence rates may be higher than indicated. Typically, there is an incubation period of 16 to 18 days, followed by symptoms caused by the lodging of the virus in the glands of the neck. The most common symptom is the swelling of the parotid (salivary) glands. One of the greatest dangers associated with mumps is the potential for sterility in men who contract the disease in young adulthood. Also, some victims suffer hearing loss.

Chicken Pox (VZV) and Shingles

Caused by the herpes zoster varicella virus (VZV), chicken pox produces the characteristic symptoms of fever and tiredness 13 to 17 days after exposure, followed by skin eruptions that itch, blister, and produce a clear fluid. The virus is present in these blisters for approximately one week. Symptoms are generally mild, and immunity to subsequent infection appears to be life-long. Although a vaccine for chicken pox is available, many believe that it is not necessary and fail to vaccinate their children. Many children still contract the disease. Scientists believe that after the initial infection, the virus goes into permanent hibernation and, for most people, there are no further complications. For a small segment of the population, however, the zoster virus may become reactivated. Blisters will develop, usually on only one side of the body and tending to stop abruptly at the midline. Cases in which the disease covers both sides of the body are far more serious. This disease, known as shingles, affects over 5 percent of the population each year. More than half the sufferers are over 50 years of age.

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