Mumps

 

• Mumps is a very contagious viral disease.
• Mumps is spread by direct contact with saliva and discharges from the nose and throat of infected persons.
• Mumps complications are rare but can be serious.
• Mumps is preventable through immunization.

 

What is mumps?

Mumps is a very contagious infection of one or more of the salivary glands. These glands are located on either side of the face, below the ears.

 

What is the infectious agent that causes mumps?

Mumps is caused by the mumps virus.

 

How do people get mumps?

Mumps is spread from person to person through direct contact with saliva and discharges from the nose and throat of infected persons. Mumps can be spread by coughing, sneezing, or even talking.

 

What are the signs and symptoms of mumps?

The main symptoms are severe swelling and soreness of the cheeks and jaw. Mumps usually starts with neck or ear pain, loss of appetite, tiredness, headache, and low fever. About a third of persons infected with the mumps virus have no symptoms.

 

How soon after exposure do symptoms appear?

Symptoms usually start 18 days after infection with the virus, but the time can range from 12 to 25 days.

 

How is mumps diagnosed?

Mumps can be diagnosed by a blood test or culture.

 

 Who is at risk for mumps?

Persons who have not been immunized against mumps are the main risk group. Unvaccinated school-aged children are most at risk.

 

What complications can result from mumps?

Severe complications are rare. However, mumps can cause hearing loss, inflammation of the brain (encephalitis), and inflammation of the coverings of the brain and spinal cord (meningitis). Swelling of the testicles occurs in 15 percent to 25 percent of infected males.

 

What is the treatment for mumps?

There is no specific treatment for mumps. Persons with mumps should drink plenty of fluids, get bed rest, and take medicine to control fever. Warm moist towels can help relieve the discomfort of the swelling. Children with mumps should be kept home from school or day care until 9 days after the swelling begins, or until the swelling goes away.

 

How common is mumps?

Before a vaccine was available, nearly every child got mumps. Now the number is much lower. However, children who are not immunized are still very likely to get the disease.

 

How can mumps be prevented?

Mumps is preventable by immunization. All children should be vaccinated to protect themselves and others from mumps. The mumps vaccine is part of the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine series given to children beginning at 12 months of age.

As is the case with all immunizations, there are important exceptions and special circumstances. Health-care providers should have the most current information on recommendations about the mumps vaccination.

 

This fact sheet is for information only and is not meant to be used for self-diagnosis or as a substitute for consultation with a health-care provider. If you have questions about the disease described above, consult a health-care provider.