Complications and Causes of Measles and Mumps

Many of us think of measles and mumps as relics from a past generation, classic childhood illnesses marked by a rash or swollen cheeks. They are often dismissed as simple, unavoidable rites of passage that everyone went through. But this perception, shaped by a time before widespread vaccination, masks a dangerous reality. These are not benign diseases. They are caused by highly contagious viruses that are capable of causing severe, life-altering, and sometimes fatal complications. 

The success of modern vaccines has made these illnesses rare, but it has also made us forget why we needed the vaccines in the first place. Understanding the true nature of the measles virus and the mumps disease is essential. A closer look at their causes and the serious harm they can inflict is a powerful reminder of why prevention remains one of the most important pillars of public health. 

The Viral Origins of Measles and Mumps 

Both of these diseases are caused by viruses from the same family, the paramyxoviruses. They are incredibly effective at spreading from person to person, which is why they caused such widespread epidemics in the past. 

The primary measles cause is a virus that is one of the most contagious human pathogens known. It spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus can remain alive in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours, ready to infect anyone who is not immune. It is so contagious that up to 90% of non-immune people who are close to an infected person will also become infected. 

The primary mumps causes are similar. The mumps virus also spreads through respiratory droplets from coughs and sneezes, as well as through direct contact with an infected person's saliva, such as by sharing cups or utensils. While not as explosively contagious as measles, it is still very effective at spreading through communities, especially in close-contact settings like schools and colleges. 

Understanding the Mumps Disease and Its Signs 

The mumps disease is most famous for one particular symptom. The virus has a predilection for the salivary glands, particularly the large parotid glands located just in front of the ears. When these glands become infected and inflamed, they swell, causing the characteristic puffy cheeks and tender, swollen jaw. 

This swelling, known as parotitis, is the hallmark sign, but it is often preceded by a few days of non-specific symptoms. These can include a low-grade fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, and a loss of appetite. While many cases are mild, the virus does not always confine itself to the salivary glands. 

The Serious and Often Underestimated Mumps Complications 

When the mumps virus spreads through the bloodstream, it can cause inflammation in other parts of the body. These mumps complications are the true source of concern with this disease and are more common in individuals who get infected after puberty. 

One of the most well-known mumps complications in post-pubertal males is orchitis, which is the inflammation of one or both testicles. This can cause significant pain, swelling, tenderness, and fever. While it is a source of great anxiety, permanent sterility as a result of mumps orchitis is actually very rare, though some impairment of fertility can occur. 

The corresponding complication of mumps in female individuals is oophoritis, or inflammation of the ovaries. This can cause lower abdominal pain, fever, and vomiting. Females can also experience mastitis, which is an inflammation of the breast tissue. Both of these conditions can be very uncomfortable but do not lead to infertility. 

The mumps virus can infect the central nervous system. This can lead to aseptic meningitis, an inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms include a severe headache, stiff neck, and sensitivity to light. A more serious, but rarer, complication is encephalitis, which is inflammation of the brain itself. Encephalitis can lead to confusion, seizures, and permanent neurological damage. 

In rare cases, mumps can cause sensorineural hearing loss, which results from damage to the inner ear. This hearing loss can be sudden, profound, and is often permanent. It can affect one or both ears. 

Measles Is More Than Just a Rash 

The measles illness begins with a high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis). A few days into the illness, tiny white spots known as Koplik spots may appear inside the mouth. Then, the characteristic measles rash breaks out, starting on the face and spreading down the body. 

People with measles feel profoundly sick. The high fever can last for days, and the illness leaves the person feeling miserable and weak. But the visible symptoms are only part of the story. The real danger of the measles cause is what the virus does to the immune system. 

The Dangerous Complications of Measles 

The measles virus is notorious for causing a phenomenon known as "immune amnesia." It infects and destroys the memory cells of the immune system, effectively wiping out the body's memory of past infections it has fought off. This leaves a child vulnerable to a host of other serious bacterial and viral infections for months or even years after the measles rash has faded. 

The most common serious complication of measles, and the leading cause of death from the disease in young children, is pneumonia. This can be a direct result of the measles virus infecting the lungs or, more commonly, a secondary bacterial pneumonia that takes hold in a child whose immune system has been weakened. 

About 1 in every 1,000 people with measles will develop acute encephalitis. This inflammation of the brain is a medical emergency that can lead to convulsions, deafness, intellectual disability, or death. It can occur during an acute illness or appear weeks later. 

This is the most feared of all measles complications. SSPE is a very rare but universally fatal degenerative disease of the central nervous system. It does not appear immediately. Instead, it develops 7 to 10 years after a person has had a measles infection. It is caused by a persistent measles virus infection in the brain and leads to a progressive decline in cognitive and motor function, ultimately ending in death. 

Prevention Is Our Most Powerful Tool 

Measles and the mumps disease are not simple childhood illnesses. They are complex viral infections with the potential to cause serious, lifelong complications and even death. The discomfort of the initial illness pales in comparison to the risk of deafness, brain damage, or a weakened immune system. 

Fortunately, these devastating outcomes are almost entirely preventable. The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is one of the most successful and important public health achievements in history. Speak with your healthcare provider to ensure your family’s immunizations are up to date. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Q1. How are measles and mumps diagnosed? 

Ans. Doctors often make a preliminary diagnosis based on the classic signs and symptoms, such as the swollen glands of the mumps disease or the characteristic rash of measles. A definitive diagnosis is confirmed with laboratory tests, such as a blood test or a swab from the throat or mouth. 

Q2. Is there a specific treatment for measles or mumps? 

Ans. There is no specific antiviral medication that can cure measles or mumps. Treatment is supportive and focuses on relieving symptoms. This includes rest, staying hydrated with plenty of fluids, and using over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen to reduce fever and pain. 

Q3. Can adults get these diseases? 

Ans. Yes. Any person who is not immune can get measles or mumps at any age. The illnesses, and particularly the mumps complications like orchitis, can be more severe in teenagers and adults than in young children.