Mumps

What is Mumps?

Mumps is an infection caused by a virus that’s easily spread through saliva and mucus. It usually happens in kids who haven’t been immunized.

Mumps can affect any part of the body, but it mostly affects saliva-making glands below and in front of the ears (called parotid glands). Those glands can swell if infected. In fact, puffy cheeks and a swollen jaw are the telltale signs of the virus.

Mumps used to be common. But since the introduction of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine in 1967, it’s been almost fully wiped out.

Mumps Signs and Symptoms

Symptoms don’t begin until about 2 weeks after you’re infected. The classic signs are pain and swelling in your face and jaw. You may notice other symptoms a few days before that, including:

Fatigue

Fever

Headache

Loss of appetite

Muscle aches

Weakness

Causes of Mumps

A virus called a paramyxovirus causes mumps. It’s very easy to catch it from someone else if you come in contact with their saliva or mucus. Infected people can spread it by:

Coughing, sneezing, or talking

Sharing cups and utensils with others

Not properly washing their hands and touching items that other people then touch

Close contact from certain sports or kissing

Mumps Treatment

If you get mumps, there’s no treatment. That’s because antibiotics don’t work on a virus. You have to simply let it run its course. Talk to your doctor about what you can do to help manage you or your child’s symptoms. Their suggestions may include:

Use cold or warm packs on swollen areas

Drink lots of fluids

Eat soft foods

Rest

Take over-the-counter, non-aspirin pain relievers

If you think you have mumps or have been around someone who has, see your doctor to get tested right away.

Mumps Complications

It doesn’t happen often, but mumps can lead to some serious problems. That’s more likely if you get it as an adult than a child. Some possible complications are:

Inflammation of the ovaries, breast tissue, and testicles in males who’ve already gone through puberty

Inflammation in the brain, called encephalitis

Inflammation in the membrane that covers the brain and spinal cord, called meningitis

Hearing loss

Heart problems

Miscarriage if infected during pregnancy

Pancreatitis

Mumps Prevention

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends children get two doses of the vaccine. They should get the first at 12-15 months old and the second between 4 and 6 years. Teens and adults should make sure their MMR vaccinations are up to date.

If you haven’t been vaccinated, you can get mumps. Some people have it without knowing it. Most recover completely in a few weeks.

Read more on: children, vaccines