Mumps

What is mumps?

Mumps is a contagious infection caused by the mumps virus. It affects the glands that make saliva, called the salivary glands, that are near your jawline. The infection makes the glands swollen, so people with mumps have a “chipmunk-like” appearance.

The mumps virus, which is a paramyxovirus, can spread when someone breathes in airborne droplets after an infected person coughs or sneezes. It may also spread when someone comes in contact with infected saliva by kissing, close contact or sharing utensils or drinks.

Someone with a mumps infection can be contagious from about two days before symptoms start until about five days after. 

The measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine has made the disease less common, but mumps outbreaks still occur, especially in people who aren’t vaccinated. Mumps most often affects children ages 2 to 12 and may also spread in places where people live close together and in health care workers. You’re more likely to get mumps if you have a weakened immune system or if you travel internationally.

Symptoms of mumps

Mumps symptoms may not appear until 12 to 25 days after you’re infected. The most well-known symptom of mumps is swollen salivary glands. The parotid glands are most likely to be affected (parotitis). Swelling can be uncomfortable.

Other common symptoms include:

• Fever: Many people have a high fever before they notice the swelling.
• Headache: The illness and inflammation can cause headaches.
• Muscle aches: Muscle soreness and discomfort are common.
• Fatigue: Feeling unusually tired or weak is often a symptom.
• Loss of appetite: The swelling in the mouth area can make it hard to chew and reduce the desire to eat. 

Mumps usually clears up without any issues in two weeks. Severe cases may cause complications or long-term effects like:

• Swollen testicles (orchitis): This inflammation may lead to fertility issues.
• Swollen ovaries (oophoritis): This inflammation can cause pain and discomfort.
• Meningitis: This inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord can lead to severe headache, neck stiffness and sensitivity to light. Meningitis related to mumps doesn’t usually cause long-term problems.
• Encephalitis: This rare but serious inflammation of the brain can cause neurological symptoms like seizures or loss of muscle control.
• Hearing loss: This could be permanent, but it usually clears up during and after recovery.
• Miscarriage: Mumps during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage.

When to get medical care

You may be able to manage mumps at home. You should contact a health care provider if you have:

• High fever: A fever that doesn’t come down when you take over-the-counter (OTC) medication or one that lasts more than a few days.
• Severe swelling: It’s especially important to seek care for severe swelling if you also have a lot of pain.
• Signs of complications: These include pain in the testicles (males) or abdomen (females), and symptoms like severe headache, neck stiffness or sensitivity to light.
• Worsening symptoms: Seek help for symptoms that get worse even though you’re treating them.
• Difficulty breathing: Get help right away for any breathing issues.
• Uncertainty about symptoms or exposure: If you don’t know if you have mumps or if you have been exposed to someone with the virus, check in with a provider for guidance.

Call or message your provider before going into the office. They may recommend a video visit or take precautions to prevent the virus from spreading to others if you have an in-person visit.

Diagnosing mumps

For a mumps diagnosis, your provider may use these methods:

• Medical history: Questions about your symptoms, recent exposure to mumps and vaccination history. 
• Physical examination: Checking for swollen salivary glands and other symptoms like fever or headache.
• Blood tests: Blood tests may spot mumps virus antibodies or high white blood cell counts, which are a sign of an infection.
• Saliva tests: The virus may show up in a saliva sample. 
• Urine Tests:  The virus may show up in a urine sample.
• Ultrasound: An ultrasound of the salivary glands can evaluate swelling and inflammation.
• Other imaging tests: In some cases, imaging tests like CT scans or MRIs may check for complications of mumps such as meningitis or encephalitis.

Your provider will also make sure you don’t have another health condition that may be mistaken for mumps. Those include:

• Viral parotitis: Inflammation of the parotid glands caused by viruses other than the mumps virus, like cytomegalovirus (CMV) or influenza (the flu).
• Epstein-Barr virus (EBV): EBV causes infectious mononucleosis, with symptoms such as swollen lymph nodes, fever and sore throat. 
• Bacterial parotitis: This infection of the parotid glands is caused by bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus. 
• Allergies: Some allergic reactions can cause swelling in the mouth or throat.
• Salivary gland tumors: Tumors may cause swelling but aren’t likely to cause fever.

Treating and managing mumps

There’s no medication that treats mumps. You can treat the symptoms and take steps to help your body fight the virus:

• OTC pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) can help reduce pain and fever. Don’t give aspirin to children or teenagers with viral infections because of the risk of Reye's syndrome.
• Drinking plenty of fluids can help prevent dehydration that could be caused by fever or reduced appetite.
• Getting plenty of rest can help your body fight off the virus.
• Applying warm or cold compresses to the swollen glands can help reduce discomfort and swelling.
• Eating soft foods and avoiding acidic or spicy foods can help reduce irritation in the mouth and throat.
• Washing your hands frequently and not sharing utensils or drinks can help keep the virus from spreading to others.

You should stay home and avoid contact with others for five days after symptoms start.

You’re not likely to get mumps more than once. In rare cases, you could be infected again if your immunity has dropped over time or if you are exposed to a different strain of the virus.

Preventing mumps

The most effective way you can protect yourself against mumps is with the MMR vaccine. It is safe and effective, and it helps prevent three serious viral infections - measles, mumps and rubella.

Mumps cases dropped by more than 99% in the United States once vaccinations started. Some people who are vaccinated may still get mumps but it’s usually milder with less risk of complications.

Children should have the first dose of the mumps vaccine between ages 12 and 15 months and the second dose between ages 4 and 6 years. Children may receive the MMRV vaccine instead, which adds protection against varicella (chickenpox). 

Some children and adults with a weakened immune system can’t get the mumps vaccine.  Your medical provider can help determine this. 

Adults and teens who have not been vaccinated (or don’t know if they’ve been vaccinated) should talk to their health care provider for guidance. A blood test can show if you have antibodies to the virus. People born before 1957 were probably exposed to the virus and are likely immune to mumps.

Most people have no reaction to the vaccine or may have mild side effects like rash, low-grade fever or pain at the injection site. Serious side effects are rare. Research has not found a link between the MMR vaccine and autism.

You can also take these steps to help prevent mumps:

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, especially after coughing, sneezing or touching surfaces that might be contaminated.
• Use a tissue or your elbow to cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze. Throw tissues in the trash and wash your hands right away.
• Do not share utensils, drinks or food with others.
• If you or someone you know is infected with mumps, stay away from others.
• Tell your close contacts if you have been diagnosed with mumps so they can take precautions.
• Wear a mask until five days after onset of the parotid glands swelling.

Getting care

Mumps is a virus that infects the salivary glands so they become swollen. It may also cause headache, fever and other symptoms. It usually clears up with no serious effects, but it can sometimes cause complications. The MMR vaccine is the best way to protect yourself against mumps.

If you think you or someone you know might have mumps, turn to the experts at Banner Health. Our skilled health care providers have extensive experience in diagnosing and treating mumps and other infectious diseases. From diagnosis to recovery, our team’s support and follow-up ensure you receive the best possible care.