Mumps: Interdisciplinary Review for Pharmacy, Nursing & Medical Secretary
Abstract
Background: Mumps is a highly communicable rubulavirus infection with declining incidence after MMR but continuing outbreaks, especially in congregate settings.
Aim: To synthesize interdisciplinary, practice-oriented guidance for pharmacists, nurses, and medical secretaries on prevention, evaluation, and management.
Methods: Narrative review of virology and pathophysiology, post-vaccine epidemiology, clinical features, differential diagnosis, laboratory confirmation, patient education, and team-based operational workflows.
Results: Mumps presents after a prodrome with parotitis in over 70% of cases; transmission occurs from two days before to five days after onset. RT-PCR on buccal swabs within three days maximizes yield; IgM may be delayed or absent after vaccination. Supportive care is standard; five-day isolation and droplet precautions limit spread. Orchitis, aseptic meningitis, and multisystem complications persist but are less frequent in vaccinated cohorts. Team actions—rapid triage and high-quality specimens (nursing), optimized analgesia and closure of vaccine gaps including outbreak third doses (pharmacy), and precise documentation, reporting, and communication with schools, employers, and public health (medical secretaries)—accelerate control and reduce morbidity.
Conclusion: Coordinated, role-explicit workflows anchored in vaccination, timely diagnosis, and standardized communication are essential to prevent and contain mumps outbreaks and sustain public-health gains.
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Authors
Copyright (c) 2024 Ahmed Abdullah Abualgasim Alamir, Fehaid Oqalaa Radhi Alanazi, Abeer Abdullah Al-Alawi, Ali Ahmed Mohammed Matari, Salman Abdullah Alghamdi, Aljohirha Mohammed Alotibia, Haya Nada Alnoumesy, Eman Shayah Jehad Alenazi, Amani Zaben Mashan Alanazi, Fayza Karman Nasha Al Hazmi
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.