Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Mumps

(Epidemic Parotitis)
by Michelle Badash, MS
Definition

Mumps is a viral infection. The infection causes fever and swelling of the parotid glands. Because of the mumps vaccine , this condition is not as common as it once was in the US.

Causes

The virus is usually spread through contact with an infected person's saliva. The mumps virus is highly contagious. It spreads easily among people in close contact.

Risk Factors

These factors increase your chance of developing mumps:

  • Age: 10-19
  • Being born after 1956 and never having mumps, or not being vaccinated after first birthday
  • Being exposed to unvaccinated people or to people who have mumps
  • Having a weakened immune system, even if you have been vaccinated
  • Season: winter

Tell your doctor if you have any of these risk factors.

Symptoms

About one third of cases have no symptoms at all. Symptoms often occur 2-3 weeks after exposure to the virus.

Mumps may cause:

  • Drowsiness
  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Painful swelling of the parotid glands (under the cheeks and jaw)
  • Sore throat
  • Stiff neck

Other areas may also be affected, such as:

  • In females: inflammation of the ovaries, which results in pain or tenderness in the abdomen
  • In males: painful inflammation of the testicles
  • Swelling and pain under the tongue, jaw, or front of the chest
Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and personal medical history. A physical exam will be done. The doctor will diagnose the mumps based on these findings.

Treatment

There is no specific treatment for mumps. Mumps is caused by a virus. Viruses cannot be treated with antibiotics. Do not treat mumps with aspirin .

Note: Do not give aspirin to children or teens with a current or recent viral infection. Check with your doctor before giving a child aspirin.

In general, mumps will last about 10-12 days. Try these comfort measures:

  • Treat high fever with acetaminophen or ibuprofen .
  • Apply hot or cold compresses to swollen areas.
  • Drink plenty of liquids. Avoid tart or acidic drinks (eg, orange juice, lemonade).
  • Eat a soft, bland diet.
  • Gargle with warm salt water to soothe sore throat.
Complications

In most healthy children, complications are rare. When complications do occur, they include:

  • Problems with male fertility (sterility is rare)
  • Deafness (may not be permanent)
  • Swelling or infection of the brain, pancreas, heart, or other organs
  • Testicular inflammation (may occur in up to 20% of adolescent boys and men)
Prevention

Getting vaccinated is the best way to prevent mumps. The vaccine contains live viruses that can no longer cause disease. The mumps vaccine is usually given in combination with:

The regular schedule for giving the vaccine is at age 12-15 months and again at age 4-6 years.

Ask your doctor if the vaccine is right for you. In general, avoid the vaccine if you:

  • Are pregnant—Avoid pregnancy for 1-3 months after receiving the vaccine.
  • Have a high fever or severe upper respiratory tract infection
  • Have a weakened immune system
  • Have had severe allergic reactions to vaccines or vaccine components

If you are not vaccinated, avoid contact with someone who has mumps. Discuss the benefits of vaccination with your doctor.

Last reviewed: September 2011 by Lawrence Frisch, MD, MPH.

RESOURCES:
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
References: