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Mumps

A viral infection that causes swelling of the salivary glands, the glands that produce saliva in the mouth, for which there is a vaccine available.

Most children are immunized against mumps when they receive the MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, rubella) at about 15 months and between 11 and 12 years of age. {See immunization for recommended schedule.) The mumps virus is transmitted by airborne droplets, spread when an infected person (or an uninfected carrier) coughs or sneezes. The virus infects a person by passing through the respiratory system and settling in the salivary glands, most often the parotid gland located in front of the ear and just above the jawline. Most infected people—though not all—experience swelling on the side of one or both cheeks, and the area will be sensitive to the touch. Eating will cause pain, since it stimulates the salivary glands. Infected individuals may also have a fever lasting from three to five days. In addition to swelling of the salivary glands, there may be some swelling in the joints and, in boys, of the testes.

Contagious period: An infected individual is contagious for several days before the swelling of the glands becomes apparent, and will continue to be contagious for at least ten days after the first sign of swelling (or until the swelling is completely gone).

Treatment: There is no specific treatment for mumps, aside from rest, drinking liquids, and taking acetaminophen for fever. Citrus and other strong flavors that stimulate the salivary glands should be avoided. Foods that are soft and easy to chew and swallow are recommended to minimize the demands on the infected glands. Other infections besides mumps can cause inflammation of the salivary glands. If a child who has been immunized against mumps (or one who has previously had mumps) presents mumps-like symptoms, a pediatrician should be contacted to determine the cause.

For Further Study

Books

Bellet, Paul S. The Diagnostic Approach to Common Symptoms and Signs in Infants, Children, and Adolescents. New York: Lea and Febiger, 1989.

Garwood, John, and Amanda Bennett. Your Child's Symptoms. New York: Berkeley Books, 1995.

Organizations

American Academy of Pediatrics, Division of Publications
Address: 141 Northwest Point Blvd., P. O. Box 927
Elk Grove Village, IL 60009-0927
(Publishes brochures on most immunizations and childhood diseases, and a 24-page booklet for parents that includes forms for tracking immunizations and other health-related information.)

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Address: 9000 Rockville Pike
NIH Building 31, Room 7A50
Bethesda, MD 20892-2520
(Arm of the National Institutes of Health that deals with allergies and infectious diseases.)