Signs and Symptoms

Cases of mumps may start with a fever of up to 103° Fahrenheit (39.4° Celsius), as well as a headache and loss of appetite. The well-known hallmark of mumps is swelling and pain in the parotid glands, making the child look like a hamster with food in its cheeks. The glands usually become increasingly swollen and painful over a period of 1 to 3 days. The pain gets worse when the child swallows, talks, chews, or drinks acidic juices (like orange juice).

A physical examination confirms the presence of the swollen glands. Usually the disease is diagnosed on clinical grounds and no confirmatory laboratory testing is needed. If there is uncertainty about the diagnosis, a test of saliva, or blood may be carried out; a newer diagnostic confirmation, using real-time nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology, has also been developed [8]. An estimated 20%-30% of cases are asymptomatic.

The most common symptoms are fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness and loss of appetite followed by onset of parotitis (swollen and tender salivary glands under the ears—on one or both sides).

Causes of Mumps

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.

What complications have been associated with mumps?

Severe complications are rare. However, mumps can cause inflammation of the brain and/or tissue covering the brain and spinal cord (encephalitis/meningitis), inflammation of the testicles (orchitis), inflammation of the ovaries (oophoritis) and/or breasts (mastitis), spontaneous abortion and deafness, which is usually permanent.

How is mumps diagnosed?

In addition to a complete medical history and medical examination, your child's physician may also take a saliva and/or urinary culture to confirm the diagnosis. Your child's physician may also draw blood to look for mumps specific IgM antibody.

Treatment of Mumps

Mumps treatment using Peepal Leaves

The leaves of the peepal tree are another effective home remedy for this disease. These leaves should be smeared with clarified butter and warmed over a fire. They should then be bandaged over the inflamed part for beneficial results.

Prevention methods for mumps

The best way to prevent mumps is to have an MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine, a combined inoculation that contains the safest and most effective form of each vaccine. It is recommended that children receive a first dose of the MMR vaccine between 12 and 15 months of age and again between 3 and 6 years of age before entering school. Babies are usually immune to mumps for the first year of life because of the immunity acquired from their mothers during pregnancy.

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