What is the Difference Between Mumps and Glandular Fever?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚Mumps and glandular fever are two different viral infections with distinct characteristics:
Mumps:
- Caused by a paramyxovirus.
- Main symptoms include swelling and pain of one or both parotid glands, which are the main salivary glands located just below the ears.
- Other symptoms may include dry mouth, difficulty swallowing, fever, headache, mild abdominal pain, and tiredness.
- Mumps is less common now due to the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.
Glandular Fever:
- Caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).
- Also known as infectious mononucleosis or "the kissing disease".
- Main symptoms include swollen glands, tonsils, liver, and spleen.
- Other symptoms may include sore throat, fever, fatigue, and swollen glands in the neck.
- Glandular fever is mostly found in young adults and can be spread through saliva, coughing, sneezing, or sharing eating and drinking utensils.
While both infections may present similar symptoms like swollen glands, tiredness, and fever, they are caused by different viruses and have distinct characteristics.
On this pageWhat is the Difference Between Mumps and Glandular Fever? Comparative Table: Mumps vs Glandular Fever
Comparative Table: Mumps vs Glandular Fever
Here is a table comparing the differences between mumps and glandular fever:
Feature | Mumps | Glandular Fever |
---|---|---|
Caused by | Paramyxovirus | Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) |
Infection Type | Viral | Viral |
Symptoms | Swelling of the parotid salivary glands in the face, fever, headache, anorexia, malaise | Flu-like illness, fever, headache, swollen lymph glands in the neck, prolonged fatigue |
Complications | Risk of sterility in adult males, meningitis, encephalitis, pancreatitis | Mononucleosis, chronic fatigue syndrome, acute anemia, swollen liver or spleen, complications involving the lungs, heart, nervous system, or liver |
Spread | Contagious, spread through respiratory droplets, saliva, coughing, and sneezing | Highly contagious, spread through saliva, coughing, sneezing, or touching infected objects |
Prevention | Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine | No specific vaccine, preventative measures include frequent hand-washing, avoiding close contact with infected individuals, and covering the mouth when coughing or sneezing |
Commonality | Mumps infection is less common due to the MMR vaccine, but outbreaks still occur | Glandular fever is also known as the 'kissing disease' and is relatively common |
Mumps is an infection caused by the paramyxovirus, resulting in the swelling of the parotid salivary glands in the face. Glandular fever, on the other hand, is an infection caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and presents with a flu-like illness, swollen lymph glands, and prolonged fatigue.
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- Scarlet Fever vs Rheumatic Fever
- Malaria vs Dengue
- Flu vs Swine Flu Symptoms
- Fever vs Chills
- Measles vs Shingles
- Monkeypox vs Chickenpox
- Malaria vs Typhoid
- Dengue vs Viral Fever
- Cowpox vs Chickenpox
- Dengue vs Typhoid
- Typhoid vs Viral Fever
- Meningitis vs Meningococcal
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