Mumps
is a highly contagious infection resulting in fever and swelling of the parotid glands (salivary glands located near the front of the ear). Mumps is caused by a virus.
The mumps virus is usually spread through contact with an infected person's saliva. Since the mumps virus is highly contagious, it spreads easily among people in close contact.
Once a common childhood illness, mumps is now rarely seen in the United States. This is largely because of the use of the mumps vaccine, which provides lifelong immunity.
Symptoms include:
- Painful swelling of the parotid glands (under the cheeks and jaw)
- Fever
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Stiff neck
- Nausea and vomiting
- Drowsiness
- Swelling and pain under the tongue, jaw, or front of the chest
- In males: painful inflammation of the testicles
- In females: inflammation of the ovaries, which results in pain or tenderness in the abdomen
About one-third of mumps cases have no symptoms at all. For those who do have symptoms, symptoms generally occur 2-3 weeks following exposure to the virus.
There are no medications or specific treatment for mumps. Since the illness is caused by a virus, it cannot be treated with antibiotics. Mumps should NOT be treated with aspirin. Therefore, treatment is aimed at improving comfort and may include hot or cold compresses to swollen areas; gargling with warm saltwater; non-aspirin pain relievers, fever-reducing medications (eg, acetaminophen, ibuprofen); fluid intake; avoidance of tart or acidic drinks (eg, orange juice, lemonade); and a soft and bland diet.
The mumps vaccine is given as the MMR vaccine, which protects against
measles
, mumps, and
rubella
. The MMR vaccine is made from weakened live viruses. It is given by injection and should be stored in a refrigerator prior to administration.
Children should get two doses of the MMR vaccine, one at 12-15 months and the second at 4-6 years. Children can get the second dose at any age, as long as it is at least 28 days after the first dose.
Most adults who have not had the vaccine should get at least one dose of the MMR vaccine. Those who work in healthcare or a school/university settings, and those at high risk of exposure to mumps should get two doses.
Like any vaccine, the MMR vaccine could cause serious problems, such as a severe allergic reaction. While most people do not have any problems with the MMR vaccine, some have reported mild problems, such as fever, a mild rash, or swelling of the glands in the cheeks or neck. Moderate problems, including seizure caused by fever, temporary pain and stiffness in the joints, and low platelet count, have been reported. Very rarely, serious allergic reactions can occur.
Anyone who has had a life-threatening allergic reaction to gelatin, the antibiotic neomycin, or a previous dose of MMR vaccine should not receive the vaccine. Also, people who are moderately or severely ill should wait until they recover before getting the vaccination. Pregnant women should not receive the MMR vaccine until after they have given birth, and women should avoid getting pregnant for four weeks after getting the vaccine.
People who have a condition that affects the immune system (eg,
HIV/AIDS
), who are being treated with drugs that affect the immune system (eg, long-term steroids), who have
cancer
or are being treated for cancer, who have ever had a low blood platelet count, or who have had a blood transfusion should consult their doctor before getting the MMR vaccine.
Other than getting vaccinated, the best way to prevent mumps is to avoid contact with an infected person until all of his or her symptoms have subsided.
During a mumps outbreak, health officials will encourage unvaccinated people to receive two doses of the MMR vaccine. Since it may take 2-4 weeks after vaccination to achieve full immunity to mumps, newly vaccinated people are susceptible to developing mumps for as long as a month after vaccination. For this reason, people with the illness should be isolated for nine days after the onset of symptoms and unvaccinated and newly vaccinated people should avoid contact with anyone who may have the illness.
