Swollen tissue around the brain and spinal cord (meningitis)
Hearing loss
About one-third of people with mumps do not have any signs or symptoms. But, they can still pass the infection on to others.
If a person has symptoms, they usually begin 2 to 3 weeks after he was infected.
Is it contagious?
Yes, mumps is contagious.
It spreads from person-to-person. You can get it from:
breathing in the germs after an infected person coughs, sneezes, or laughs out loud.
sharing eating utensils and cups.
kissing.
A person is most contagious from about 1 day before the salivary glands swell, to at least another 3 days after the swelling began.
How is it treated?
There is no specific treatment for mumps.
Antibiotics will not work because a virus causes it.
You can try to relieve some of the symptoms by:
getting plenty of bed rest.
using ice and/or heat to decrease swelling.
drinking plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.
eating soft foods because they are easier to swallow.
giving your child acetaminophen (such as
Tylenol, Tempra, or Panedol) or ibuprofen (such as Motrin or Advil) to decrease the fever. Do not give your child aspirin unless your doctor says to. Taking aspirin can increase your child's risk of getting Reye Syndrome.
How long does it last?
Mumps usually lasts about 2 weeks.
Can it be prevented?
Yes, mumps can be prevented.
There is a vaccine against it called the MMR shot. MMR stands for Mumps, Measles and Rubella. The vaccine protects from all three infections.
Children get the shot between 12 and 15 months old, and again at 4 to 6 years old.
If you already had the mumps, you will not get it again. This is called natural immunity.
When should I call the doctor?
Call your doctor if you have any questions about your child's immunizations.
Call your doctor if you think your child has mumps.
Call your doctor if your child has testicle pain.
Call your doctor if your child has the mumps AND:
a really bad headache.
a fever above 101 degrees Fahrenheit (38.3 degrees Celsius).
eye redness
constant drowsiness
constant vomiting
stomach pain
Call your doctor if you have any questions about your child's condition.
Quick Answers
Mumps is an infection caused by a germ called a virus.
It causes swelling of the salivary glands that make the spit in your mouth.
A person with the mumps often looks like he has chubby cheeks.
Children between 2 and 12 years old, who have not been vaccinated, are most at risk.
The main signs and symptoms are fever, swollen salivary glands, stiff neck, difficulty swallowing, and headache.
Mumps is contagious. It spreads from person-to-person through breathing in the germs after an infected person coughs or sneezes, sharing eating utensils and cups, and kissing.
Antibiotics will not work because a virus causes it. The infection will have to run its course.
To relieve some of the symptoms, use ice and heat on swollen glands, get plenty of bed rest, drink plenty of fluids, and give your child acetaminophen or ibuprofen to decrease the fever.
It usually lasts about 2 weeks.
Call your doctor if you think your child has mumps.
Call your doctor if you have any questions about your child's condition.
References
American Academy of Pediatrics. Mumps. 1999. (cited 2004, March 30). URL: http://www.medem.com/MedLB/article_detaillb_for_printer.cfm?article_ID=ZZZ3TM6PDDC&sub_cat=286
Hawaii Department of Health. Public Health Resoures. Mumps. (cited 2004, March 30). URL: http://www.hawaii.gov/doh/resource/comm_dis/cddmumps.htm
KidsHealth. Mumps. 2003 October. (cited 2004, March 30). URL: http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/infections/bacterial_viral/mumps.html
MayClinic.com. Mumps. 2002, August 5. (cited 2004, March 30). URL: http://www.mayclinic.com/printinvoker.cfm?objectid=292796CF-7FD0-4E8B-A43FF0385A62B145
Medinfo. Mumps. 2003, May 19. (cited 2004, March 30). URL: http://www.medinfo.co.uk/conditions/mumps.html
MedlinePlus. Mumps. 2004, January 5. (cited 2004, March 30). URL: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001557.htm
Netdoctor. Mumps. 1998. (cited 2004, March 30). URL: http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/mumps.htm
"Virtual Pediatric Hospital", the Virtual Pediatric Hospital logo, and "A digital library of pediatric information" are all Trademarks of Donna M. D'Alessandro, M.D. and Michael P. D'Alessandro, M.D.
Virtual Pediatric Hospital is funded in whole by Donna M. D'Alessandro, M.D. and Michael P. D'Alessandro, M.D. Advertising is not accepted.
Your personal information remains confidential and is not sold, leased, or given to any third party be they reliable or not.
The information contained in Virtual Pediatric Hospital is not a substitute for the medical care and advice of your physician. There may be variations in treatment that your physician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.
