Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 5, 2026

Dissecting Host-virus Interaction in Lytic Replication of a Model Herpesvirus
11:28

Dissecting Host-virus Interaction in Lytic Replication of a Model Herpesvirus

Published on: October 7, 2011

The duration of mumps virus shedding after the onset of symptoms

Philip M Polgreen1, Lucas C Bohnett, Joseph E Cavanaugh

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA. philip-polgreen@uiowa.edu

Clinical Infectious Diseases : an Official Publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America
|April 19, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Mumps virus shedding decreases quickly after symptom onset. However, 8%-15% of patients may remain contagious for up to 5 days post-symptom onset, indicating a prolonged infectious period.

Area of Science:

  • Epidemiology
  • Virology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Mumps is a contagious viral illness.
  • Understanding viral shedding duration is crucial for controlling outbreaks.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To quantify the duration of mumps virus shedding after symptom onset.
  • To estimate the proportion of patients remaining contagious post-symptom onset.

Main Methods:

  • Logistic regression modeling.
  • Analysis of data from the 2006 Iowa mumps outbreak.

Main Results:

  • Mumps virus shedding probability declines rapidly after symptom onset.
  • An estimated 8%-15% of mumps patients shed the virus 5 days after symptom onset.
  • A significant proportion of patients may remain contagious during this extended period.

Conclusions:

  • Mumps virus shedding duration varies among individuals.
  • Public health strategies should consider the potential for prolonged contagiousness in mumps patients.
  • Further research may be needed to identify factors influencing shedding duration.

More Related Videos

Measurement of γHV68 Infection in Mice13:22

Measurement of γHV68 Infection in Mice

Published on: November 22, 2011

Vaccinia Virus Infection & Temporal Analysis of Virus Gene Expression: Part 112:00

Vaccinia Virus Infection & Temporal Analysis of Virus Gene Expression: Part 1

Published on: April 8, 2009

Related Concept Videos

Rabies01:28

Rabies

Rabies is a lethal zoonotic disease caused by a single-stranded, negative-sense RNA virus of the Lyssavirus genus, within the family Rhabdoviridae. Its primary mode of transmission to humans is through bites or saliva-contaminated scratches from infected mammals such as dogs, bats, raccoons, or foxes. Transmission can also occur if infectious saliva contacts abraded skin or intact mucous membranes, including the conjunctiva.Viral Entry and Early ReplicationOnce introduced at the bite or scratch...
Chickenpox01:20

Chickenpox

Chickenpox is an acute, highly contagious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), a double-stranded DNA virus belonging to the Herpesviridae family. Its transmission occurs primarily through the inhalation of respiratory droplets or direct contact with vesicular fluid from skin lesions. The incubation period typically ranges from 10 to 21 days, during which the virus replicates and disseminates through sequential phases within the host. Although generally self-limiting in children,...
Viral Meningitis01:18

Viral Meningitis

Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis and is often referred to as aseptic meningitis to indicate the absence of bacterial involvement. It is generally milder than bacterial meningitis, with symptoms including fever, headache, stiff neck, drowsiness, nausea, photophobia, and vomiting. Rarely, more severe manifestations or death may occur. Common causative agents include enteroviruses, particularly coxsackie A and B viruses and echoviruses, all members of the Enterovirus genus...
Stages of Infection01:26

Stages of Infection

Stages of infection describe what happens to a susceptible host once a pathogen invades the human body. The stages of infection are incubation, prodromal, illness, stage of decline, and convalescence. The incubation stage is the period from exposure to a pathogen until symptoms start. The infected person is unaware of impending illness as the pathogens grow and multiply within the body. The duration may vary depending on the type of infection. The incubation period of measles averages ten to...
Poliomyelitis01:17

Poliomyelitis

Poliomyelitis is caused by poliovirus, a small, non-enveloped, positive-sense RNA virus of the Picornaviridae family and Enterovirus genus. Transmission occurs primarily via the fecal-oral route, often through ingestion of contaminated water or food. The virus initially replicates in the oropharynx and intestinal mucosa, particularly in lymphoid tissues such as the tonsils, Peyer’s patches, and regional lymph nodes. Primary viremia follows, allowing dissemination throughout the body.In most...
Smallpox01:24

Smallpox

Smallpox is a severe contagious disease caused by the Variola major virus, a double-stranded DNA member of the Poxviridae family.Variola major transmission occurs primarily via inhalation of virus-laden droplets or direct contact with infectious scabs. The incubation period averages approximately seven days, although it may range from 7 to 17 days depending on the inoculum and host factors.Clinically, the prodromal phase is marked by an abrupt onset of high fever, malaise, headache, and myalgia.