Mumps was a common childhood illness until a vaccination for it was launched in the late Eighties. Now it’s relatively rare. But there have been sporadic outbreaks in the UK since. And, while most cases will pass without issues, there are also risks associated with catching mumps, especially if you’re older, including life-threatening complications and for men, infertility. Make sure you know what to look for, what to do and the red flags that need immediate attention.
At his GP practice in south-west London, Dr Ziad Tukmachi has become increasingly concerned by the sheer number of patients arriving with prolonged symptoms from various respiratory infections.