Mumps: Symptoms and treatment
Mumps is a contagious disease caused by a virus that mainly affects the glands in the neck that produce saliva.
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Symptoms of mumps
After infection, the symptoms of mumps can take 12 to 25 days to appear (usually about 2 and a half weeks). About 20% of people who are infected with the mumps virus may not have any symptoms. Some people may have very mild symptoms, similar to a cold.
The most common symptom of mumps is swelling of the glands that produce saliva (spit). This is called parotitis because the gland affected is the parotid gland. This swelling can make the cheek or neck bulge out on one or both sides.
Other symptoms of mumps that may begin before swelling is visible include:
- fever
- sore muscles
- tiredness
- headache
- loss of appetite
- earache
- dry mouth
- trouble talking, chewing or swallowing
Most people recover from mumps within 2 weeks.
Sometimes, the opposite cheek or side of the neck can swell up weeks or months after recovering from mumps.
Complications of mumps
Complications from mumps can happen in about 30% of cases, but long-term complications are rare. Complications are more likely in adults infected with mumps and people who are unvaccinated. Vaccinated people can still become infected with mumps but are much less likely to develop complications.
Mumps is rarely fatal.
Complications from mumps can include swelling (inflammation) of different parts of the body, including the:
- testicles (orchitis)
- ovaries (oophoritis)
- breasts (mastitis)
- heart (myocarditis)
- pancreas (pancreatitis)
- brain (meningitis or encephalitis)
Other complications from mumps can include:
- decrease in fertility
- fetal loss during the first 3 months of pregnancy
- neurologic disorders, such as:
- seizures
- limb weakness
- temporary or permanent deafness
- difficulties with speech, language, memory or communication
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If you become ill
If you develop symptoms of mumps, isolate at home and away from others and contact a health care provider for advice. Before you go to an in-person appointment, tell the health care provider about your symptoms over the phone and follow their instructions.
You can also help stop the spread of mumps by using personal protective measures. This may include wearing a well-fitting respirator or mask if you have to be around others and cleaning your hands regularly.
Respiratory infectious diseases: Reduce your risk with personal protective measures
Diagnosing mumps
A health care provider may suspect mumps based on your:
- symptoms
- exposure to the virus in the case of a known outbreak in the community
- vaccination history (symptoms may be less obvious if previously vaccinated)
A health care provider will likely confirm the diagnosis with a lab test. The test can include:
- swabs from the mouth or throat
- a saliva sample
- a urine test
- a blood test
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If you’re diagnosed with mumps
If you’re diagnosed with mumps, you should isolate at home and away from others for at least 5 days after the swelling starts.
A health care provider or laboratory will inform your local public health unit or office of your diagnosis. This is because of their reporting requirements.
Your local public health unit or office will get in touch with you for contact tracing if follow-up is needed. This is done to help stop the virus from spreading to more people. When contact tracing, the public health unit or office will try to determine:
- how you became infected
- who you’ve been in contact with and the areas that you visited
Your health care provider, or local public health unit or office will also provide you with advice on treatment and isolation. They may recommend measures to help reduce the spread to others while isolating, for example:
- avoiding close contact with others, especially when around people who are at risk for serious complications
- wearing a well-fitting respirator or mask when around others
- cleaning your hands regularly
- covering coughs and sneezes with your elbow or a tissue
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Treating mumps
There are no medications to treat a mumps infection. Treatment is supportive, meaning it helps manage symptoms and any complications.
If you become infected, a health care provider will likely:
- recommend medication to reduce fever
- tell you to drink plenty of fluids and get lots of rest
Most people fully recover from mumps within 2 weeks if they don’t develop complications.