A case of mumps presenting as severe pneumonia with acute respiratory distress syndrome

The mumps virus causes an acute viral syndrome which is generally a self-limiting condition. It primarily affects the children. The majority of cases present with parotid swelling which is usually followed by complete recovery. Symptomatic infection is typically more severe in adults than in children. Encephalitis, meningitis, and orchitis are the most common serious complications of mumps. Pneumonia is an extremely rare and unusual complication of mumps. In this case report, the patient was an adult who presented with a short history of fever, unilateral parotid swelling, cough, and worsening breathlessness. On evaluation, he was diagnosed as a case of mumps complicated with severe pneumonia. The patient later developed a severe acute respiratory distress syndrome, which was managed successfully by prone ventilation, recruitment maneuvers, lung-protective ventilation (high positive end-expiratory pressure and low tidal volume), and other supportive measures.