Mumps: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment

Mumps is a contagious disease caused by a virus. It usually affects and causes the glands on one or each side of the face to swell (parotitis). This virus can passes from one person to another through saliva, nasal secretions, and close personal contact.

Mumps primarily affects the salivary glands, also called the parotid glands. These glands are responsible for producing saliva. There are three sets of salivary glands on each side of your face, located behind and below your ears. The hallmark symptom of mumps is swelling of the salivary glands.

Mumps most commonly affects children between the ages of 2 to 12 who haven’t received the mumps vaccine. However, adolescents and adults can get mumps despite being vaccinated against it. This occurs because there’s waning immunity of the vaccine after several years. Still, the best way to protect against mumps infection is to be fully vaccinated.

Treatment for mumps focuses on alleviating symptoms. The disease has to run its course. Most symptoms are mild, but serious complications can occur. The MMR vaccine offers protection from the virus that causes mumps.

Mumps used to be a very common childhood disease. After the mumps vaccine became available in 1967, the number of cases reduced significantly. However, mumps outbreaks still occur, especially among people who have prolonged close contact, such as on college campuses.

You can protect your child by having them get the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. Although mumps is usually a mild disease, serious complications can occur.

Symptoms of mumps

Symptoms of mumps show up about 2 to 3 weeks after exposure to the virus. Some people may have no symptoms or very mild symptoms.

The first symptoms may be similar to flu symptoms such as:

• Fever.
• Headache.
• Muscle aches or pain.
• Not wanting to eat.
• Tiredness.

Swelling of the salivary glands usually starts within a few days. Symptoms may include:

• Swelling of one or both glands on the sides of the face.
• Pain or tenderness around the swelling.
• Less often, swelling of glands below the floor of the mouth.

When to see a doctor

See your health care provider if you or your child has symptoms of mumps. Mumps spreads very easily for about five days after the swelling starts. If you think you have mumps, let the clinic know before you go. The clinic staff likely will take steps to prevent the spread of disease.

Other conditions may have similar symptoms, so it’s important to get a quick diagnosis.

If you think your child has mumps, call your care provider if your child develops:

• Fever of 103 F (39 C) or greater.
• Trouble eating or drinking.
• Confusion or disorientation.
• Stomach pain.
• Pain and swelling of the testicles. 

In the meantime:

• Rest as much as possible.
• Use pain relievers you can get without a prescription, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and acetaminophen (Tylenol, others).
• Use a cold or warm cloth over swollen salivary glands.

Causes of mumps

The mumps virus, which is a type of paramyxovirus, causes mumps. The virus spreads from person to person through direct contact with infected saliva or through respiratory droplets from the infected person’s nose, mouth or throat. The infected person can spread the mumps virus by:

• Sneezing, coughing or talking.
• Sharing objects containing infected saliva, such as toys, cups and utensils.
• Playing sports, dancing, kissing or participating in other activities involving close contact with others.

Some groups of people are at a higher risk of getting mumps. These groups include:

• People with weakened immune systems.
• People who travele internationally.
• People who aren’t vaccinated against the virus.
• People living in close quarters, such as college campuses

You can also read: Causes & Symptoms of Tonsillitis

Complications of mumps

Complications of mumps are more likely among people who aren’t vaccinated. They can happen even if a person didn’t have swollen salivary glands. Complications happen when the virus reaches other tissues in the body. Complications may include:

• Swollen testicles. This complication, also called orchitis, causes severe pain. It’s more common with a mumps infection after puberty. A swollen testicle may lead to a decrease in the size of the testicle and a decline in fertility.
• Swollen ovaries. This complication, also caused oophoritis, causes pain, upset stomach, vomiting and fever. This complication is more likely after puberty. The condition doesn’t seem to affect fertility.
• Encephalitis. Encephalitis is swelling, called inflammation, in the brain that may damage tissues. This complication can cause changes in consciousness, seizures and loss of muscle control.
• Meningitis. Meningitis is swelling, or inflammation, of the membranes around the brain and spinal cord. It may cause head, fever and neck stiffness. Meningitis related to mumps rarely causes long-term problems.
• Hearing loss. This complication can happen suddenly or over time. Hearing usually gets better after the illness.
• Pancreatitis. Mumps can cause damage to the pancreas, called pancreatitis, from swelling. Symptoms may include pain or tenderness near the stomach, upset stomach, vomiting and fever.

Mumps during pregnancy is usually harmless (benign) but may very rarely lead to miscarriage, premature birth, low birth weight, birth defects or fetal death. If you’re pregnant and have been exposed to mumps, see your healthcare provider right away.

Prevention of mumps

Most people who have had the mumps vaccines, and fully vaccinated, are protected from mumps infections. People who aren’t vaccinated are more likely to get mumps. For some people, vaccine protection may go down over time. When fully vaccinated people get mumps, they usually have milder symptoms and fewer complications.

The MMR vaccine

The mumps vaccine is a part of the recommended childhood vaccinations. It’s usually given as a combined measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. The schedule is:

• The first dose between the ages of 12 and 15 months.
• The second dose between the ages of 4 and 6 years before entering school.

Another version of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) includes the vaccine against the virus that causes chickenpox, called varicella-zoster virus. But that vaccine, called the measles-mumps-rubella-varicella vaccine (MMRV) is not used for the first dose in the standard vaccination schedule for children.

Extensive studies in several countries have shown that there is no link between the MMR or measles-mumps-rubella-varicella (MMRV) vaccines and autism. The original study that suggested this connection in 1998 was based on scientific errors. That study was removed from the scientific record in 2010.

Extensive reports from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the National Academy of Medicine, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conclude that there is no scientifically proven link between the MMR vaccine and autism.

People who need the MMR vaccine

If you haven’t had two doses or aren’t sure, talk to your health care provider. You may need two doses of the vaccine or a booster. This is especially important if you are in a high-risk setting or in an outbreak. The following people may need proof of vaccination or more doses:

• College students.
• People in the military.
• International travelers.
• Health care workers.

People who don’t need the MMR vaccine

If you’re not sure if you’re vaccinated, a blood test can show whether you have antibodies to mumps. If you have antibodies to the virus, then your immune system would fight a mumps infection and you don’t need another vaccine.

People who were born before 1957 were likely exposed to the virus. They likely are immune to mumps.

The mumps vaccine is made from a weak but still infectious mumps virus. A typical immune system can handle this weak virus easily. But people with immune systems that won’t respond quickly or strongly to the vaccine don’t usually get this vaccine. But there are some exceptions if the benefits outweigh the risks. Also, this type of vaccine is not suggested for people who are pregnant.

Side effects of the MMR vaccine

The MMR vaccine is safe and effective. Most people have no side effects.

If they happen, mild side effects may include:

• Soreness at the site of the shot.
• Fever.
• Rash at the site of the shot.
• Swelling of the glands in the cheeks or neck.

In rare cases, some people may have symptoms such as pain and stiffness in joints, seizures, short-term drop in blood platelets or a rash.

Severe allergic reactions are rare. People who have a severe allergic reaction to the first dose aren’t given a second dose. Also, people won’t get the vaccine if they’ve had a severe allergic reaction to an ingredient in the vaccine.

You can also read: Complications & Prevention of Goiter

Diagnosis of mumps

Your child’s healthcare provider will ask questions about your child’s symptoms and perform a physical examination. They may be able to diagnose mumps based on their telltale swollen salivary glands. Your child’s provider may request specific tests to diagnose the condition. The following are the major tests to diagnose mumps:

• PCR Test. Your child’s healthcare provider may request a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test to diagnose mumps. They’ll swab the inside of your child’s cheek or throat to collect a sample of their mucus. They’ll send the sample to a lab, where a pathologist will examine it and look for the mumps virus.
• Blood Test. Your child’s provider may also request a blood test to help make the diagnosis of mumps or to rule out other conditions and viruses that can cause parotitis.
• Urine Test. A test of a sample of urine, but this is less common.

Treatment of mumps

There is no specific treatment for mumps. Most people recover within 3 to 10 days. Steps you can take to aid recovery and lessen symptoms include:

• Rest.
• Pain relievers that you can get without a prescription such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and acetaminophen (Tylenol, others).
• A cold or warm cloth for swollen salivary glands.
• A cold cloth or ice pack for swollen testicles. 
• Drinking plenty of fluids.

Don’t give your child aspirin. Children with viruses such as mumps who take aspirin can develop Reye’s syndrome, a dangerous disease that causes liver failure, swelling of their brain and even death.

It’s important to isolate yourself or your child during the illness to prevent spreading the infection. Avoid contact with others until at least five days after the start of swollen salivary glands.

You can also read: Diagnosis & Treatment of Sinusitis

Conclusion

Mumps is usually a mild illness. If your child is exposed to the virus, they may have minor symptoms that resemble a cold. Often, they’ll develop painful swelling in their salivary glands a few days later. Getting vaccinated greatly reduces your child’s risk of getting mumps and spreading it to others. It also reduces their chance of developing any serious complications that can occur due to the disease.

• List of Common Diseases & Medical Disorders
• Buy Complete Premium Anatomy Notes (PDFs)
• Medmichihealthcare New posts
• Read All causes of disease short notes
• Read All diagnosis of disease short notes
• Read All treatment of disease short notes
• Subscribe Medmichihealthcare YouTube channel