224 - Mumps Virus

The reproductive system comprises a series of internal and external organs that function collaboratively to produce male germ cells that fuse with female germ cells to produce offspring. Reproductive health encompasses the proper functioning of the reproductive system at all stages of life. The male reproductive system is susceptible to various diseases, disorders, and dysfunction, which may develop during multiple phases of life. Adverse and life-threatening effects of modern therapies targeting reproductive conditions are widespread. Recently, an alternative to modern medicine that takes advantage of nature's benefits has been investigated. Herbal medicine has long been used to treat various diseases in different countries, especially among rural and ethnic peoples, due to its profitability, easy availability, low cost, ease of use, and little to no adverse effect. Various medicinal plants have been evaluated for their therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of various reproductive dysfunctions. This chapter summarizes multiple medicinal plants and their extracts used to treat common reproductive disorders in this chapter.

To assess pediatricians’ mumps knowledge and testing practices, to identify physician and practice characteristics associated with mumps testing practices, and to assess reporting and outbreak response knowledge and practices.

Between January and April 2020, we surveyed a nationally representative network of pediatricians. Descriptive statistics were generated for all items. The χ² test, t tests, and Poisson regression were used to compare physician and practice characteristics between respondents who would rarely or never versus sometimes or often/always test for mumps in a vaccinated 17-year-old with parotitis in a non-outbreak setting.

The response rate was 67% (297 of 444). For knowledge, more than one-half of the pediatricians responded incorrectly or “don’t know” for 6 of the 9 true/false statements about mumps epidemiology, diagnosis, and prevention, and more than one-half reported needing additional guidance on mumps buccal swab testing. For testing practices, 59% of respondents reported they would sometimes (35%) or often/always (24%) test for mumps in a vaccinated 17-year-old with parotitis in a non-outbreak setting; older physicians, rural physicians, and physicians from the Northeast or Midwest were more likely to test for mumps. Thirty-six percent of the pediatricians reported they would often/always report a patient with suspected mumps to public health authorities.

Pediatricians report mumps knowledge gaps and practices that do not align with public health recommendations. These gaps may lead to underdiagnosis and underreporting of mumps cases, delaying public health response measures and contributing to ongoing disease transmission.