The mumps virus appears to have existed since ancient times. Research indicates that the virus was documented or recorded by Hippocrates in the 5th century BCE (Epidemiology of Mumps and Prevention of Vaccine Preventable Diseases). We thank Johnson and Goodpasture for helping determine how the virus is spread. This particular virus was and still is known throughout the world, but it became a reportable disease in the United States in 1968. The history of mumps is not very detailed, but today we are in able to prevent this disease here in the United States. The structure of mumps is a single-stranded RNA virus. Its genus is Rubulavirus which is part of the Paramyxoviridae family. The mumps virus is an acute virus that could become very dangerous if left untreated. Although it's not very common in the United States anymore, when outbreaks occur, things can get very serious very quickly. Of course, these outbreaks come from natural occurrences in people who have not been vaccinated (which will be discussed later) and who have never had the disease. In the past, the mumps virus occurred mainly in babies and children and in the military, but today, if it occurs at all, it mainly affects adults. To be infected with the mumps virus, you must be in direct contact with it. The virus is spread by the salivary and respiratory secretions of its human host (Marjorie, KC). Whether through a kiss or droplets from a simple sneeze, the virus spreads very easily and is also very contagious. Once infected with the virus, normal non-specific symptoms begin to appear, such as headaches, malaise and muscle pain. Only after about 16 to 18 days will you see specific symptoms such as parotitis which...... middle of paper ......be careful and know the symptoms because waiting too long could have serious and harmful effects.Works citedACC. (2013). Measles and mumps tests. Retrieved from http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/measles/tab/testCenters for Disease Control and Prevention. (2012). Epidemiology of mumps and prevention of vaccine-preventable diseases. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/mumps.html#features Marjorie, KC, (2013). Fundamentals of microbiology and clinical approach. McGraw-Hill. New York. NYMcLean, HQ Fiebelkorn, PA (2013) Prevention of measles, rubella, congenital rubella syndrome and mumps, 2013, 62(4), 6-7. Retrieved from http://ezp.gvltec.edu:2073/pdf29_30/pdf/2013/1CEF/14Jun13/90159230.pdf?T=P&P=AN&K=2012255934&S=R&D=rzh&EbscoContent=dGJyMMvl7ESeqLQ4y9f3OLCmr0yeqLFS rqe 4SraWxWXS&ContentCustomer=dGJyMOXo433s7OpT69fnhrnb5ofx6gAA