Mumps is a viral infection of the salivary glands, especially the parotid glands that run along the angle of the jaw in front of and below each ear.Mumps is caused by a paramyxovirus. Of the more common childhood illnesses, it is the disease with the longest incubation period and can take as long as three weeks from infection to outbreak, which can make it difficult to track down the source of infection. The virus is contagious for about two to three days before and up to seven to eight days after the disease breaks out.
Causes of Mumps:
Mumps is spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes near you or shares food or drinks.You can catch mumps from close personal contact with someone who is infected with the virus. The mumps virus is spread, as with cold or flu viruses, from contaminated surfaces or by the droplets released when someone coughs or sneezes. It’s very contagious and can spread quickly among people who live or work together.People who have not been vaccinated, particularly children and teens, are at risk for developing mumps. Mumps occur most often in children between the ages of 5 – 9.
Symptoms of Mumps:
The main symptoms are severe swelling and soreness of the cheeks and jaw. Mumps may also lead to encephalitis or meningitis (inflammation of the brain or the lining of the central nervous system). Symptoms appear 3 to 7 days after parotid swelling begins and may include: high fever, stiff neck, headache, nausea and vomiting, drowsiness, convulsions/seizures, and other signs of brain involvement.
Symptoms usually last about 10 days and may include:
- Swelling and pain in one or more of the salivary glands . One or both cheeks may look swollen. Many people consider swollen parotid glands to be a classic sign of mumps, but this symptom can also occur with other illnesses.
- Fever of 101°F (38°C) to 104°F (40°C).
- Headache, earache, sore throat, and pain when swallowing or opening the mouth.
- Pain when eating sour foods or drinking sour liquids, such as citrus fruit or juice.
- Tiredness, with aching in the muscles and joints.
- Poor appetite and vomiting.
Up to one-third of people who are infected with the mumps virus do not have any symptoms, especially children younger than 2 years.
Complications of Mumps:
- Most people can expect a complete recovery from mumps and lifelong immunity from reinfection. If you have serious symptoms of mumps, getting prompt treatment from your health care professional can help reduce the complications of mumps including:
- Deafness, which may be temporary or permanent
- Encephalitis (inflammation and swelling of the brain due to a viral infection or other causes)
- Fertility problems in males as a result of orchitis
- Oophoritis (inflammation of the ovaries)
- Orchitis (inflammation of the testes)
Treatments For Mumps:
There is no specific treatment for mumps. Ice or heat packs applied to the neck area and with acetaminophen (Tylenol) may help relieve pain. Do not give aspirin to children with a viral illness because of the risk of Reye’s syndrome.Warm salt water gargles, soft foods, and extra fluids may also help relieve symptoms.Today it is recommended that all children get the MMR vaccination, which contains a vaccine against mumps. This vaccine gives the same lifelong immunity and protection against the disease as the disease itself.
Drug Therapies
No medications other than pain relievers are needed for uncomplicated cases of mumps.
Complementary and Alternative Therapies
Mumps usually gets better on its own, although should always see your health care provider if you have symptoms of mumps. Treatment is aimed at relieving symptoms, and some CAM therapies may help.
Self-Care at Home
The treatment of mumps is mainly to relieve the symptoms.
- Drink plenty of fluids and eat properly. The diet should be light.
- Pain relievers may be used for comfort.
- For most children, the swelling in their glands goes away in a week. Any child with mumps should not return to school or day care for 9 days after the start of parotid swelling.