Mumps

Mumps is a viral disease that causes painful swelling of the salivary glands along the side of one or both cheeks. The swelling lasts about one week after the first sign of tenderness. Other symptoms include:

• a fever between 102 and 103 degrees Fahrenheit or 38.9 to 39.4 degrees Celsius
• loss of appetite
• general tiredness, and
• headache

The fever usually goes away in 2 to 5 days. The swelling of the salivary glands tends to start within the first two days. The other symptoms usually disappear within 7 to 10 days.

The disease spreads when someone with mumps sneezes, coughs, or talks, and others breathe in the infected droplets. The person with mumps can spread it to someone else for 3 days before symptoms start to 4 days after the symptoms appear. Symptoms appear between 14 and 18 days after exposure.

Women who are infected during the first 3 months of pregnancy may have a miscarriage. Teenagers and adults, especially males, who catch mumps are often much sicker for a longer period of time than young children. More serious cases may result in inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. Permanent hearing loss can occur. Severe symptoms can include:

• a stiff neck
• nausea and vomiting
• dehydration
• abdominal pain
• reddened skin over the swollen gland, or
• swelling of the testicles

Common ways to help relieve symptoms at home include:

• Get plenty of rest.
• Drink extra fluids. Avoid citrus juices as they may cause pain.
• Put a cold or warm cloth on the swollen glands to minimize pain.
• Eat soft foods that are easy to chew and swallow, and
• Take acetaminophen or ibuprofen to control fever. Check with your healthcare provider before you give medicine that contains aspirin or salicylates to a child or teen because of the risk for a serious illness called Reye's syndrome. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines can cause stomach bleeding and other problems. Take the medicine only as directed.

Tips to help prevent mumps include:

• Keep away from anyone who has mumps, if you have not had the mumps or have not been vaccinated.
• Make sure children get the measles, mumps, and rubella, or MMR, vaccine. The MMR vaccine is given in a series of 2 shots. The first is usually given between 12 and 15 months of age and the second between 4 and 6 years of age. Most people born before 1957 are likely to be immune to mumps.

For more information, contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

HIA File infd4551.htm Release 13/2010