MUMPS VIRUS Meaning and
Definition
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The mumps virus is a contagious virus that primarily affects the salivary glands, particularly the parotid glands, which are located just below and in front of the ears. It belongs to the Paramyxoviridae family and is classified within the Rubulavirus genus. The virus is transmitted through respiratory droplets from an infected person and can also spread through direct contact with infected saliva or other respiratory secretions.
Upon infecting an individual, the mumps virus typically begins to replicate in the upper respiratory tract, eventually spreading to the salivary glands. This results in the characteristic swelling of the parotid glands, leading to the recognizable chipmunk-like appearance. Symptoms of infection may also include fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, loss of appetite, and pain when chewing or swallowing.
Most cases of mumps virus infection are mild and resolve within a couple of weeks without complications. However, in some instances, the virus can lead to more serious complications, such as inflammation of the testicles in males (orchitis) or the ovaries in females (oophoritis). Additionally, the virus can rarely cause inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) or other organs, which may result in severe or long-lasting consequences.
Prevention of mumps virus infection primarily involves vaccination with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, which provides immunity against the virus. Maintaining good hygiene practices, such as frequently washing hands and avoiding close contact with infected individuals, can also help reduce the risk of transmission.
Common Misspellings for MUMPS VIRUS
- numps virus
- kumps virus
- jumps virus
- mymps virus
- mhmps virus
- mjmps virus
- mimps virus
- m8mps virus
- m7mps virus
- munps virus
- mukps virus
- mujps virus
- mumos virus
- mumls virus
- mum-s virus
- mum0s virus
- mumpa virus
- mumpz virus
- mumpx virus
- mumpd virus
Etymology of MUMPS VIRUS
The word "mumps" is believed to have originated in the mid-17th century and is thought to be a variant of the word "umps" or "umpsimus" used in the phrase "umpsimus disease". This phrase was a colloquial corruption of the Latin phrase "numpsimus", which means "we have taken".
The Latin phrase "numpsimus" itself originates from the humorous anecdote of a medieval Catholic priest who mistakenly repeated "nunc dimittis", a phrase from a biblical prayer, as "numpsimus" during a mass. Despite being corrected, the priest insisted that "numpsimus" was the correct phrase, reflecting his resistance to change. This anecdote became a symbol of rigid adherence to tradition, and "numpsimus" came to be used to describe someone who stubbornly clings to old beliefs or practices.
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