A contagious infection that occurs due to a virus and causes painful swelling in the parotid salivary glands is called mumps. While most of the time, the symptoms of mumps are mild, this infection may also cause moderate to severe symptoms.
The virus that causes this infection is called mumps, and it belongs to a group of viruses called paramyxoviruses. In most cases, mumps starts with mild symptoms (such as headaches and fever), but then may cause severe swelling. This viral infection was very common among children before the mumps vaccine became available in 1967. In any case, mumps outbreaks still happen, especially among people who are in close contact (such as on college campuses). One sure way to protect your child against mumps is the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine.
Symptoms
Most of the time, mumps causes mild symptoms in the early stages. When the infection advances, it may cause moderate to severe symptoms. Commonly, the incubation period ranges from 7 to 25 days. Check below for other common mild symptoms in people with mumps:
- Fever
- Headaches
- Extreme tiredness (fatigue)
- Weakness
- Loss of appetite
- Muscle aches
People who ignore the previous symptoms may also experience a painful swelling of the parotid glands that are located between the ears and jaw. It is also known as parotitis, and it causes one or both sides of the face to swell. For instance, parotitis occurs in about 70% of people with mumps. Moreover, there are a lot of bacterial and viral infections that may also cause parotitis. It means if you or your child has parotitis, it does not necessarily mean it is caused by mumps.
In rare cases, mumps can negatively affect certain organs in the body (including the pancreas, testicles, ovaries, brain, and others). Check some moderate and severe symptoms of mumps below:
- Neck stiffness
- High fever
- Stomach pain
- Confusion
- Severe headaches
- Seizures
- Vomiting
If you experience any of the previous symptoms, immediately contact your healthcare provider.
Causes and Risk Factors
This infection occurs due to a virus called the mumps virus. It often easily spreads from one person to another through direct contact with infected saliva or respiratory droplets. Usually, it happens when a person:
- Coughs, talking, or sneezes
- Playing sports, dancing, or kissing
- Sharing objects that contain saliva (including toys, cups, or utensils) that are contaminated with the mumps virus
While anyone can develop mumps, the following factors may increase your risk even more. Check some examples below:
- Weakened immune system that is often caused by immunosuppressants, cancer, HIV infection, and others.
- People who are not vaccinated against the mumps virus
- Those who live in close quarters (including college campuses)
- People who live or travel in areas where mumps is common
- Age – Mumps can occur at any age, but it often affects children between the ages of 2 and 12.
What Are The Possible Complications of Mumps?
If this disorder is left untreated, it may lead to certain complications. Check some of them below:
- Deafness (permanent loss of hearing)
- Encephalitis (brain inflammation)
- Arthritis (inflammation of the joints throughout the body)
- Meningitis (inflammation of the protective covering of the brain and spinal cord)
- Thyroiditis (inflammation of the thyroid gland)
- Orchitis (testicle inflammation)
- Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
- Oophoritis (inflammation of the ovaries)
- Pregnancy complications – When a pregnant woman develops mumps, it may lead to miscarriage, premature birth, low birth weight, birth defects, or even fetal death.
This document does not contain a complete list of complications. In any case, you can talk with your child’s pediatrician for measures to reduce the risk or even prevent them.
How to Prevent Mumps?
Generally, this is a highly preventable disorder because of the mumps vaccine. Most of the time, physicians give this vaccine as a part of a combination vaccine that helps prevent measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR). Children often get 2 doses of this vaccine as part of the childhood immunization program.
While mumps is considered a rare infection, it still happens in the U.S., especially in areas where there is close human contact (including dormitories, schools, and others). That’s why it is very important to be vaccinated. Nowadays, outbreaks of mumps are still happening on college campuses, despite high rates of vaccination against this viral infection.
Is The MMR Vaccine Safe?
This vaccine is very safe and effective, and it helps prevent mumps in about 90% of people. Usually, children do not have any adverse reactions to this vaccine, but may experience some mild side effects. Rarely, the MMR vaccine can cause an allergic reaction. If you experience fatigue, breathing problems, loss of color, or wheezing after getting the MMR vaccine, immediately visit a doctor.
Commonly, children who have minor health conditions (such as upper respiratory tract infections) or mild to moderate symptoms (such as fever) can receive this vaccine. However, if your child has a more serious disease, the pediatricians often recommend delaying the vaccine until your child recovers. It is very important to inform your child’s pediatrician if your child has had seizures, blood disorders, or takes immunosuppressants.
Diagnosis
Most of the time, the diagnosis of mumps starts with a physical examination and questions about the symptoms and medical history. It helps get more information about your child’s disorder. However, to confirm or rule out this infection, physicians often perform the following tests. These include:
- A polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
- Blood tests
- Urine tests
Treatment
In general, there are no specific medicines to treat mumps. This infection often runs its course and disappears within a few weeks. However, doctors may recommend some options to ease the symptoms. These include:
- Drinking plenty of water
- Choose only soft and easy-to-chew foods
- Gargle warm salt water
- Suck on an ice pop to soothe a sore throat
- You can also apply ice or heat packs to swollen glands
- Administer over-the-counter (OTC) medicines to reduce fever and pain (such as Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen)
- Do not use Aspirin because it may cause a dangerous disease that causes liver failure. It is called Reye’s syndrome.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does mumps last?
Commonly, children get rid of this infection within a couple of weeks. If you notice that the symptoms of your child improve, he/she can return to school.
Can you get mumps twice?
In general, children can develop this viral infection twice, but it happens very rarely.
Is mumps contagious?
This is a very contagious infection, which means it easily spreads from one person to another. An infected child is often contagious for several days before their glands swell. If you have any other questions, ask your healthcare provider.
