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Mumps is characterised by swelling on either side of the face. It is a viral illness caused by a paramyxovirus, a member of the Rubulavirus family. It most typically affects children who are not vaccinated and are between the ages of 2 and 12. But adults and teenagers can still contract mumps even after receiving a vaccination against it.
The average incubation period for mumps is between 16 to 18 days. Encephalitis, or inflammation of the brain, and myocarditis, or inflammation of the heart muscle, are some of the fatal consequences of the condition.
Symptoms of mumps
The disease produces pain, tenderness, and swelling in one or both parotid glands. Swelling usually peaks in 1-3 days and subsequently subsides during the next week. Often, the initial mumps symptoms are not severe, but serious complications can occur. The most serious complication is inflammation of the brain (encephalitis), which can be fatal, leading to death or lifelong disability.
Many people are unaware they are infected because they show no symptoms. Nor do symptoms show up immediately. There is a 7 to 25-day incubation period, which is the interval between infection and disease.
Apart from swelling, there are many other symptoms of mumps people experience:
- Low-grade fever
- Headache
- Muscle aches and pain
- Feeling of being sick (malaise)
- Dry mouth
- Mild abdominal pain
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
- Painful chewing
- Loss of appetite
- A high temperature
- Painful swallowing
Treatment
The goal of mumps treatment is to alleviate symptoms until the body’s defenses against the illness take over. Antibiotics don’t work against the disease because the illness is viral. Treatment of the disease aims to ease symptoms and reduce the risk of complications. Usually, the illness clears itself in a week or two.
Treatment options may include:
- Getting plenty of bed rest until symptoms have passed
- Taking over-the-counter painkillers, such as ibuprofen or paracetamol, to reduce fever and relieve any pain (children aged 16 or under should not be given aspirin)
- Drinking plenty of fluids, but avoiding acidic drinks such as fruit juice as these can irritate your parotid glands; water is usually the best fluid to drink
- Applying a warm or cool compress to your swollen parotid glands to help reduce any pain
- Eating foods that don’t require a lot of chewing, such as soup, porridge, mashed potatoes and scrambled eggs
- Gargling with warm salt water
- Staying in isolation, to reduce the risk of spreading the disease.
How do mumps spread?
The illness is communicable and spreads from person to person, much like the flu (influenza). Tiny droplets from an infected person’s mouth and nose release the mumps virus when they cough or sneeze.
Direct contact with infected saliva or respiratory droplets from an infected person’s lips, throat, or nose can transmit the virus from one person to another. The person who has the mumps virus can infect others by:
- Coughing, talking, or sneezing.
- Sharing utensils, drinks, and toys that have come into contact with contaminated saliva.
- Playing sports, dancing, sharing a kiss, or engaging in other socially intimate activities.
A person is most contagious in the days just prior to the onset of symptoms and in the days that follow.
How to prevent spreading mumps to others
If you have mumps, here are a few tips that can help:
- Avoid going to work, or any social events and avoid sending the child to school for at least 5 days after the ymptoms first develop
- Regularly wash your hands with soap for at least 20 seconds
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze
- Use and dispose of tissues when you sneeze
- Cough or sneeze into your elbow or upper sleeve rather than your hands if you don’t have a tissue handy.
- Avoid close contact with anyone who isn’t fully vaccinated
- Avoid sharing objects that might have saliva on them, like water bottles or cups
- Disinfect surfaces that are frequently touched, such as doorknobs, tables, counters.
Closing thoughts
Mumps is a contagious disease. Although it seldom causes major complications, it might share symptoms with more dangerous infections such tonsillitis and glandular fever. The mumps vaccine can effectively protect against mumps and any disease complications. It’s best if you get vaccinated to ensure maximum protection.
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