Mumps
Mumps is a contagious viral illness that causes painful swelling of the glands below and in front of the ears, making the cheeks and jaw look puffy. It mostly affects children and young people who are not vaccinated. It is usually mild and gets better in 1 to 2 weeks, but it can sometimes cause swelling of the testicles, meningitis or hearing loss.
Symptoms
- Painful swelling on one or both sides of the face, below the ears
- Pain when chewing or swallowing
- Fever
- Headache
- Tiredness and loss of appetite
- Dry mouth
Causes
- Mumps virus
- Breathing in droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks
- Sharing cups, spoons or plates with an infected person
- Not being vaccinated
Prevention
- Mumps vaccine (part of the MMR vaccine) where available
- Keep a sick person at home for 5 days after the swelling starts
- Wash hands often and do not share cups or spoons
- Cover the mouth when coughing or sneezing
Treatment
- There is no specific medicine; it gets better by itself
- Rest and plenty of fluids; avoid sour drinks that make the pain worse
- Soft food that needs little chewing
- Paracetamol for pain and fever
- A warm or cool cloth on the swollen area
- Do not start prescription medicines without a doctor
Common questions
How long is a person with mumps contagious?
From a few days before the swelling starts until about 5 days after. Keep the person at home during this time.
Can mumps cause infertility in men?
Mumps can cause painful swelling of the testicles in teenage boys and men. This rarely causes infertility. See a doctor if this happens.