Explaining mumps, isolation and the MMR strategy — OSCE

Candidate instructions (8-minute station)

You are the paediatric registrar in the clinic. A 7-year-old child has a PCR-confirmed diagnosis of mumps after three days of fever and bilateral parotid swelling, during a community outbreak. The child is recovering well and is fully vaccinated with two MMR doses. At home there is the child's aunt, who is 30 weeks pregnant, and an immunocompromised grandparent receiving chemotherapy. ^[3]

Your tasks are: ^[2]

1. Explain the diagnosis of mumps and what the illness will look like over the coming days, in plain language. ^[3]
2. Explain the isolation and school-exclusion plan, and why it matters even though the child is recovering. ^[2]
3. Explain why the pregnant aunt and the immunocompromised grandparent need prompt review and advice, and what that involves. ^[4]
4. Address the mother's question of why a fully vaccinated child caught mumps at all. ^[3]

You are not expected to prescribe for the aunt or grandparent yourself — flag that the grandparent needs same-day review by their oncology team because live MMR vaccine is contraindicated during chemotherapy and the aunt's immune status needs checking. ^[4]