Mumps

Mumps is a viral infection of the parotid glands (located between the ears and jaw) that causes swelling of part or all of the parotid glands. It usually begins with a few days of fever, headache, muscle pain, fatigue, and loss of appetite. Most people have swelling in the parotid gland located in front of and below the ear, which causes swelling of the cheeks and jaw pain.

What Causes Mumps?

Mumps is transmitted through the virus movement from the respiratory system (nose, mouth, and throat) to the parotid glands (saliva-producing glands located on both sides of the face) and begins to multiply.

How Does Mumps Spread?

The virus spreads through respiratory secretions (the saliva of an infected person) in the following ways:

• Cough or sneeze droplets passing from an infected person to a healthy person.
• Sharing utensils and cups with the infected person, or close contact with others.

An infected person can spread mumps from a few days before the salivary glands begin to swell until five days after the swelling began. A person with mumps should limit their contact with others during this time.

What Are the Symptoms?

Symptoms usually appear 14-25 days after infection with the virus. The most common symptom is swelling of the parotid glands, on one or both sides. Other symptoms may appear before that, including:

• Fever.
• Headache.
• Muscle pain.
• Weakness and fatigue.
• Dry mouth.
• Loss of appetite.
• Pain while chewing or swallowing.

Mumps is no longer common today, and these symptoms may be a sign of another disease, such as tonsillitis.

When Should You See a Doctor?

When the appearance of symptoms leads you to suspect the disease.

What Are the Complications?

Mumps can occasionally cause complications, especially in adults. These can include:

• Inflammation of the ovary or inflammation of the breast tissue.
• Inflammation of the testicles.
• Inflammation in the pancreas (pancreatitis).
• Viral meningitis.

How Is Mumps Treated?

There are currently no medications to treat the mumps virus. Treatment focuses on relieving symptoms until the immune system fights the virus. The infection usually passes within a week or two.

What to Do If You Have Mumps

• Get enough rest.
• Take painkillers.
• Drink plenty of fluids, and stay away from acidic drinks because they stimulate saliva production.
• Apply warm or cold compresses to relieve pain.
• Eat foods that do not require a lot of chewing.

How Can Mumps Be Prevented?

• Wash your hands with soap and water regularly.
• Use tissues to cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, and dispose of them immediately in the trash.
• Stay away from children.
• Do not go to school or work for five or more days since the onset of symptoms.

The Triple Viral Vaccine

In general, a person is considered safe if they have had the disease before or have received the vaccine previously. The vaccine is usually given as a community immunization for measles, mumps, and rubella (the triple viral vaccine).

Two doses of the vaccine are recommended before the child enters school.

Contraindications

• Pregnant women, or women who plan to become pregnant within the next four weeks.
• Those who suffer from a severe allergic reaction to a previous dose of the vaccine or to one of its components.
• People with a severely weakened immune system, or those taking oral steroids.