What Is Mumps?

Mumps is a contagious disease caused by a virus that passes

from one person to another through saliva, nasal secretions,
and close personal contact.
The condition primarily affects the parotid glands. Parotid
glands also called salivary glands are the organs
responsible for producing saliva. There are three sets of
salivary glands on each side of your face, located behind and
below your ears. The hallmark symptom of mumps is swelling
of the salivary glands.

What Are the Symptoms of Mumps?

Symptoms of mumps usually appear within two weeks of
exposure to the virus. Flu-like symptoms may be the first to
appear, including:

fatigue
body aches
headache
loss of appetite
low-grade fever
A high fever (up to 103 degrees Fahrenheit) and swelling of
the salivary glands follow over the next few days. The glands
may not all swell at once. More commonly, they swell and
become painful periodically. You are most likely to pass the

mumps virus to another person from the time you come into
contact with the virus to when your parotid glands swell.
Most people who contract mumps show symptoms of the
virus. However, some people have no or very few symptoms.

What Is the Treatment for Mumps?

Because mumps is a virus, it doesnt respond to antibiotics or
other medications. However, you can treat the symptoms to
make yourself more comfortable while youre sick.

Rest when you feel weak or tired.

Take over-the-counter pain relievers, such as
acetaminophen and ibuprofen, to bring down your fever.
Soothe swollen glands by applying ice packs.
Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration due to fever.
Eat a soft diet of soup, yogurt, and other foods that
arent hard to chew (chewing may be painful when your
glands are swollen)
Avoid acidic foods and beverages that may cause more
pain in your salivary glands.
You can usually return to work or school about one week after
a doctor diagnoses your mumps, if you feel up to it. By this
point, youre no longer contagious. Mumps usually runs its
course in a couple of weeks. Ten days into your illness, you
should be feeling better.

Most people who get mumps cant contract the disease a

second time. Having the virus once protects you against
becoming infected again.

What Are the Complications

Associated with Mumps?
Complications from mumps are rare, but they can be serious
if left untreated. Mumps mostly affects the parotid glands.
However, it can also cause inflammation in other areas of the
body, including the brain and reproductive organs.
Orchitis is an inflammation of the testicles that may be due to
mumps. You can manage orchitis pain by placing cold packs
on the testicles several times a day. Your doctor may
recommend prescription-strength painkillers if necessary. In
rare cases, orchitis can cause sterility in males.
Females infected with mumps may experience swelling of the
ovaries. The inflammation can be painful but doesnt harm a
womans eggs. However, if a woman contracts mumps during
pregnancy, she has a higher-than-normal risk of suffering a
miscarriage.
Mumps may lead to meningitis or encephalitis, two
potentially fatal conditions if left untreated. Meningitis is
swelling of the membranes around your spinal cord and
brain. Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain itself. Contact

your doctor if you experience seizures, loss of consciousness,

or severe headaches while you have mumps.
Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, an organ in the
abdominal cavity. Mumps-induced pancreatitis is a temporary
condition. Symptoms include abdominal pain, nausea, and
vomiting.
The mumps virus also leads to permanent hearing loss in
about 5 out of every 10,000 cases. The virus damages
the cochlea, one of the structures in your inner ear that
facilitates hearing.

How Can I Prevent Mumps?

Vaccination can prevent mumps. Most infants and children
receive a vaccine for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) at
the same time. The first MMR shot is generally given between
the ages of 12 and 15 months at a routine well-child visit. A
second vaccination is necessary for school-aged children
between 4 and 6 years old.
Adults who were born before 1957 and havent yet
contracted mumps may wish to be vaccinated. Those who
work in a high-risk environment, such as a hospital or school,
should always be vaccinated against mumps.
However, patients who have a compromised immune system,
who are allergic to gelatin or neomycin, or who are pregnant,
shouldnt receive the MMR vaccine.

Consult your family doctor about an immunization schedule

for you and your children.