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What Is It?
Mumps is a viral infection that causes fever,
headache, and swelling and tenderness of the salivary glands (below the
ear).
Most adults born before 1957 have been infected
naturally and are probably immune. Mumps can occur in unimmunized
children, or adolescents and young adults who graduated from school prior
to the law requiring mumps immunization.
Symptoms
- About 1/3 of people have no
symptoms.
- Others can have swollen glands (swollen
cheeks), headache, fever, and earache.
- The first symptoms usually appear 16 to
18 days after exposure. It begins with fever and pain upon opening the
mouth or eating.
Potential Complications
- Possible complications include
meningitis (swelling of the covering of the brain and spinal cord),
encephalitis (swelling of the brain), deafness, and in adult males,
swelling of the testicles.
- The virus may cause a miscarriage if a
woman becomes infected during the first three months of
pregnancy.
How Is It Spread?
- The mumps virus is found most often in
saliva. It is spread by direct contact or by droplets through sneezes
and coughs.
- Mumps is most easily spread 48 hours
before the symptoms begin.
Prevention
- The best way to prevent mumps is to be
vaccinated against it.
- Washington State Immunization law
requires that all children have a record of immunization against
mumps.
- The mumps vaccine is given in one
injection together with the measles and rubella vaccines, known as MMR
vaccine.
- The vaccine is given to toddlers at 12
to 15 months of age.
- Most people who get the vaccine will
not experience any side effects. In rare instances, some swelling of the
glands in the cheeks and under the jaw may appear, lasting for a few
days. This could happen from one to two weeks following the shot.
- Teenagers and adults who do not know if
they are protected against mumps should ask their doctor, nurse or
clinic about the MMR vaccine.
Diagnosis & Treatment
- If you or your child develops symptoms
of mumps, consult your health care provider for diagnosis.
- The swelling caused by mumps usually
goes away in about ten days.
- Acetaminophen (tylenol) can be used to
reduce the discomfort and fever.
Keeping on Top of Your Condition
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