Mumps is an acute viral infection of the paramyxovirus family. As its alternative name (infectious parotits) suggests, the infection is characterized by swelling more commonly bilateral than unilateral of the parotid salivary glands. The incubation period is 14-21 days and is communicable from 6 days before to 9 days after facial swelling is apparent. It can lead to brain inflammation, deafness or sterility.

Complications of mumps are potentially serious, but rare — and your odds of contracting mumps aren't very high. Mumps was common until the mumps vaccine was licensed in the 1960s. Since then, the number of cases has dropped dramatically.

Mumps vaccine was licensed in the United States in December 1967, and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended that its use be considered for children approaching puberty, for adolescents, and for adults. At that time, the public health community considered mumps control a low priority, and the ACIP stated that mumps immunization should not compromise the effectiveness of established public health programs.

Causes

Mumps occurs most often in children ages two through twelve, although unvaccinated adults are also susceptible. People with mumps are contagious for about a week before and two weeks after the onset of symptoms, which occurs about two to three weeks after exposure to the mumps virus.

The mumps virus is spread in saliva and in minute airborne droplets from the coughs and sneezes of infected people. The virus that most commonly causes mumps is a paramyxovirus. On rare occasions your parotid glands may swell due to the influenza virus or Coxsackie virus. These conditions may also be responsible for mumps returning.

Symptoms

Swelling of the salivary glands follows these symptoms. Swelling of the glands near the jaw line below the ears may give you "chipmunk cheeks." Serious problems are rare, but can include deafness; swelling of the brain, spinal cord, testicles, breasts or ovaries; and pregnancy loss.

Symptoms of mumps include fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness and loss of appetite followed by swelling and tenderness of one or more of the salivary glands, usually the parotid gland (located just below the front of the ear). Approximately one-third of infected people do not have apparent salivary gland swelling.

Treatment

There is no specific treatment for mumps. Symptoms may be relieved by the application of intermittent ice or heat to the affected neck area and by Acetaminophen/Paracetamol (Tylenol) for pain relief. Aspirin use is discouraged in young children because of studies showing an increased risk of Reye's syndrome. Warm salt water gargles, soft foods, and extra fluids may also help relieve symptoms. Patients are advised to avoid fruit juice or any acidic foods, since these stimulate the salivary glands, which can be painful.

There is no specific treatment. Supportive care should be given as needed. If someone becomes very ill, they should seek medical attention. If someone seeks medical attention, they should call their doctor in advance so that they don't have to sit in the waiting room for a long time and possibly infect other patients.