Mumps | Symptoms & Causes
What are the symptoms of the mumps?
Symptoms of the mumps may vary for each child who is affected. It may take between 16 to 18 days for your child to develop signs of mumps after coming in contact with the disease. The most common symptoms include:
In an early phase of the disease:
- Fever
- Headache
- Decrease in appetite
- Not feeling well
Within 24 hours of the above symptoms:
- Earache or face pain
- Pain is worse with chewing
- Pain is worse with foods that cause an increase in saliva production, such as sour foods
Over the next 24 hours:
- Swelling of one of the saliva glands located on the side of the face, near the outside of the ear. It may make the entire cheek appear swollen
- Less often, the child may have swelling of two other saliva glands, which are located under the tongue and below the chin.
What causes the mumps?
The mumps are caused by a virus called the paramyxovirus. It's spread from one child to another through direct contact with discharge from the nose and throat. Infected droplets in the air from a sneeze or close conversation can be inhaled and may cause infection. Your child is contagious from one to seven days before the symptoms occur, and remains contagious for five to nine days after.
Mumps | Diagnosis & Treatments
How are mumps diagnosed?
Mumps are usually diagnosed based on a complete medical history and physical exam. The physical symptoms are usually enough to confirm the diagnosis.
How is the mumps treated?
The goal of treatment for the mumps is to relieve symptoms and prevent severe complications from occurring. Since it's a viral infection, there is no cure for mumps. But certain steps can relieve your child's symptoms and prevent complications. These include:
- Acetaminophen for fever and pain
- Rest
- Increased fluid intake
- Adjust your child's diet based on what they can tolerate (foods that increase saliva production will cause an increase in pain)
How do we care for the mumps?
The Children's Hospital Informatics Program created HealthMap, an online resource and smart phone app that helps track the spread of contagious diseases in real time, including the mumps.
