Mumps
These days mumps is increasingly rare. In Australia most children are vaccinated against mumps when they are about one year old and at 4 years old (with the combined measles, mumps and rubella vaccine). However, it still occurs and can cause problems, particularly if adolescents and adults catch it.
Mumps is a virus infection that affects the glands that produce saliva, which is secreted into the mouth to begin the process of digestion. The gland usually affected is the parotid gland which lies in front of and just below the ear. The glands on both sides are usually affected. Occasionally the submandibular glands, lying below the jaw, are also affected.
Mumps symptoms
The usual symptoms are pain and swelling of the glands with a raised temperature, dryness of the mouth and pain on opening the mouth or chewing.
Treatment of mumps
The aim of treatment is to relieve these unpleasant symptoms while the infection runs its natural course, which usually takes about a week. Rest and plenty of fluids are important, with a soft diet that doesn't need chewing. Paracetamol can be given frequently (as directed by your doctor or pharmacist) for pain and temperature.
Complications of mumps
Mumps can cause problems when the virus gets to other parts of the body. It can affect the testicles in males who've been through puberty, causing great pain and swelling (orchitis). Sterility is a feared result but happens rarely, even when both testicles are involved. In females inflammation of the ovaries can cause pain in the lower abdomen. Other rare complications include inflammation of the pancreas brain (meningitis and encephalitis).
Prevention of mumps
Mumps is spread by coughing and sneezing, so infected children should be kept away from others until they are better. Children who haven't had mumps, and were not vaccinated in early childhood, should be given the vaccine before they reach puberty.
Last Reviewed: 13 February 2009
