Mumps, also known as parotitis, is an infectious disease caused by a virus that causes significant inflammation of the parotid, sublingual, and submandibular glands. It usually affects children and poses no danger beyond the great discomfort caused by swelling1.
When contracted in adulthood, mumps can cause serious harm if the inflammation spreads to the testicles and ovaries, potentially resulting in infertility. Even though it is considered a benign disease, some complications—such as deafness, neuritis, pancreatitis, and aseptic meningitis—have been reported after contracting the disease2. a0
The incubation period for mumps is two to three weeks. The most obvious symptom is swelling of the salivary glands just below the ear, making the face swell. Besides this visible swelling, the disease commonly causes the following symptoms:
- High fever
- Severe headaches
- Chills
- Muscle pain and difficulty chewing
Fatigue and weakness are also symptoms of mumps. In adults, it can also cause swelling and pain in the testicles of men and severe pain in the ovaries of women. Neck stiffness accompanied by severe pain can be a sign of meningitis, which is one of the complications the disease may present. Transmission is by a virus known as paramyxovirus3, which is highly contagious and transmitted through direct contact with infected individuals. Mumps outbreaks usually occur in spring and winter.
How to Prevent and Treat Mumps in Children?
The basic childhood vaccination schedule recommends the administration of the mumps vaccine, or more commonly, the MMR vaccine. In addition to mumps, it protects against rubella and measles and is given to children at 15 months of age. Vaccinated children have a 98% lower chance of contracting the disease. That is why it is so important to keep children’s vaccinations up to date.
If infected, the child or adult should not attend school or work and should stay home for at least nine days after the onset of mumps. It is also necessary to clean and disinfect objects used by these persons, especially those that came into contact with saliva and other secretions.
If you have had direct contact with someone infected, it is recommended to see a doctor and request a post-exposure (block) vaccination to prevent the onset of the disease. Remember, this vaccine is only provided and recommended for those who have had direct contact and are at risk of infection. No additional medication is used in the treatment of mumps, except to control fever. In this case, antipyretics are used, and analgesics if there is pain.
The patient should remain on total rest, which is essential for a rapid and complete recovery. The diet should consist of liquid and soft foods that, besides requiring no chewing, are easier to swallow. Give preference to soups, broths, and softer foods such as mashed potatoes and pumpkin.
Avoid acidic foods such as oranges, lemons, tangerines, pineapples, and their juices, as they stimulate saliva production and can make swallowing more uncomfortable. In case of pain, besides the recommended analgesics, a cold or warm compress can be used. This will bring immediate relief. Usually, the symptoms disappear completely within two weeks; but after one week from the onset, the disease is no longer considered contagious.
After full recovery, the child or teenager will be immune to the disease, and it will only reoccur if the infection did not affect both sides, in other words, both parotid glands. In this case, the disease may appear again but on the previously unaffected side.
Self-medication before seeing a doctor is not recommended, as appropriate treatment will be prescribed by a specialist. Remember that aspirin should not be given to children in cases of infection, as when associated with viral infections, it increases the risk of the disease developing into Reye’s syndrome.
