Mumps Symptoms for Children

Mumps is a childhood disease that is rarely seen in the twenty-first century. The vaccine for mumps was approved for use in the United States in 1967 and is routinely given as the "MMR" (measles, mumps and rubella) immunization at well-baby checkups during the first year of life. The number of cases of mumps have drastically dropped since the 1960s, yet some children still develop the contagious condition. Some of the symptoms of the mumps in children are quite obvious, while others may not be as visible.

Fever

Children who become sick with mumps are usually elementary- and middle-school age, and may display a fever as one of their first symptoms. Kidshealth.org, an informational service affiliated with the Nemours Foundation, reports that fevers can reach temperatures as high as 103 degrees F in a child who has mumps. Some kids may experience a headache along with a fever.

Swollen Glands

Enlarged glands are the classic symptom of this childhood illness. The glands that are affected are the parotid, or salivary glands that are located on the sides of a child's face. The swollen glands can become very painful and make speaking and eating difficult. The glands of both sides of the face may be affected, or just one side may become enlarged. In some cases, a child's neck tongue and part of the chest may also appear swollen.

Loss of Appetite

A decreased appetite may be a symptom of mumps in some children. Most likely, the loss of appetite is related to the fever and pain in the facial area. Chewing may be especially difficult for a child whose glands are very swollen; offering clear juices through a straw may make hydration more comfortable and palatable.

Abdominal Pain

Children infected with mumps could experience abdominal pain and tenderness while the disease runs its course. Kidshealth.org explains that this discomfort may be related to pancreatic problems that can be associated with mumps. Girls who have mumps may feel tenderness in the abdominal region if their ovaries are affected by the illness.