Disease
Fact Sheet Series:
What is mumps?
Mumps
is a viral infection that can cause swelling of the salivary glands of an
infected person.
Who can get mumps?
Mumps
can affect any person of any age who has not had the disease or been
immunized against it.
How is mumps spread?
The
virus is in the saliva of an infected person and is spread from person to
person through the air by coughing, sneezing or simply talking. Mumps is
less contagious than measles or chickenpox.
What are the signs and symptoms of mumps?
The
disease begins with low grade fever, headache, muscle pain and general
feeling of discomfort. Commonly the cheek and jaw area (salivary glands)
typically swell on one or both sides within the first 2 days of illness.
How soon do symptoms appear after exposure?
Children
start to show signs of mumps 2 to 3 weeks after they are exposed.
How can a doctor confirm that an illness is mumps?
Mumps is
confirmed through a blood test or by testing saliva or urine.
When and for how long is a person able to spread
mumps?
From
3 days before the onset of symptoms, to the ninth day after symptoms begin.
What are the complications associated with mumps?
Children
under two years of age usually have mild cases of mumps.
About
1 child in every 10 who gets mumps also gets meningitis (an inflammation of
the covering of the brain and spinal cord). Occasionally mumps can cause
encephalitis, which is inflammation of the brain itself. Usually, the child
recovers without permanent damage.
Teenage
or adult men who get mumps may develop a painful swelling of the testicles.
Sterility is rare. Mumps can, but rarely causes deafness or death.
Is there a treatment for mumps?
There is no
specific treatment for mumps.
Can mumps be prevented?
Yes.
Mumps vaccine given in combination with Measles and Rubella (called MMR
vaccine) is recommended for all children at 12-15 months of age and at 4-6
years of age. The two doses of vaccine normally provide life long immunity.
Does a past infection with mumps make a person
immune for life?
Yes.
A common belief is that if a person gets swelling on only one side of
the face he/she can get mumps a second time. This is not true.
For more information, contact your
Local
Public Health Department
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Last Revised: November 04, 2008
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