300 Longwood Avenue Boston, MA 02115 (617) 355-6000 My Child Has: Mumps Programs that treat this condition Infectious Diseases   What are mumps? Mumps is a viral illness that is very contagious. It is spread from one child to another through direct contact with discharge from the nose and throat. Sometimes it is spread through air-borne droplets from an infected person. This is a very contagious disease that usually consists of a fever and swelling of the salivary glands in the mouth and near the ear. It may also involve the central nervous system. What causes mumps? The mumps are caused by a virus called the paramyxovirus. It is rare in children less than 3 years of age or in adults after the age of 40. It is most prevalent in the late winter and spring. Mumps are preventable by proper immunization with the mumps vaccine. What are the symptoms of mumps? The symptoms of mumps may vary for each child who is affected. It may take between 16 to 18 days for a child to develop signs of mumps after coming in contact with the disease. It is important to know that a child is contagious from one to seven days before the symptoms occur, and remains contagious for five to nine days after. Some people who do not have actual signs of the disease may be carriers of the disease and make other people sick. Therefore, children may be contagious before they ever know they have the disease. The following are the common signs that occur with mumps: In an early phase of the disease, the child may have the following: fever headache decrease in appetite not feeling well Usually, within 24 hours of the above symptoms, the child has the following: earache or face pain pain is worse with chewing pain is worse with foods that cause an increase in saliva production, such as sour foods Over the next 24 hours, the following may occur: swelling of the parotid gland - This is one of the glands that help with producing saliva. It is located on the side of the face, near the outside of the ear. The swelling of this gland may make the entire cheek appear swollen. less often, the child may have swelling of two other glands involved in producing saliva. These are the sublingual and submaxillary glands, which are located under the tongue and below the chin. The following are the main complications that may occur with mumps: Meningitis - This is a complication that involves the central nervous system, which includes the brain and spinal cord. If this happens, the following symptoms may occur: headaches neck stiffness nausea and vomiting changes in behavior eyes sensitive to light (photophobia) Pancreatitis - this is an inflammation of the pancreas. This is a rare, but serious complication. If this happens, the following signs may occur: sudden onset of severe pain high in the stomach fevers chills vomiting weakness Orchitis - this is inflammation of the testes. If this happens, the following symptoms may occur: fever chills headaches nausea and vomiting stomach pains painful swelling of one or both testes Oophoritis - this is an inflammation of the ovaries in females. If this happens, the following symptoms may occur: fever stomach pain and tenderness nausea and vomiting pain on one side of the pelvic area or both Symptoms of mumps may resemble other conditions or medical problems. Consult your child's physician for a diagnosis. How are mumps diagnosed? Mumps are usually diagnosed based on a complete medical history and physical examination of your child. The physical symptoms in your child are usually enough to confirm the diagnosis of mumps. Additional tests are usually not ordered. Treatment for mumps Specific treatment will be determined by your physician based on: your child's age, health, and medical history extent of the disease your child's tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies expectations for the course of the disease your opinion or preference The goal of treatment for mumps is to help prevent the disease or decrease the severity of the symptoms and prevent severe complications from occurring. Since it is a viral infection, there is no cure for mumps. The following are some of the treatment options that may be followed: acetaminophen for fever and pain rest increased fluid intake Adjust your child's diet to what is tolerated by your child. Foods that cause an increase in saliva production will cause an increase in pain. Prevention of mumps The mumps vaccine is usually given in combination with the measles and the rubella vaccine. It is called the MMR. It is usually given when the child is 12 to 15 months of age, and then again between 4 to 6 years of age. For more information on the MMR vaccine, click here. The information on this website should not be taken as medical advice, which can only be given to you by your personal health care professional. Copyright © Children's Hospital Boston. All rights reserved.