5 Things You Need to Know About the Mumps

1. A Refresher Course on Mumps

Most of us envision a child with a kerchief wrapped under his chin and tied above his head when we think of the mumps. This is because mumps is a viral infection that causes the parotid gland, a salivary gland just below and in front of the ear, to swell and ache, making chewing and swallowing painful. A fever and extreme tiredness may also accompany these symptoms, which typically last for three to five days. A doctor will do a virus culture or blood test to determine if you or your child has the mumps.

2. Don't Just Let It Be

Though there's no medication to treat the mumps' virus, there are things you can do to be more comfortable with the illness. The best thing to do is rest. Children and adults alike can take ibuprofen to lessen the pain and swelling and may want to apply a cold compress to the swollen glands. Avoid foods that stimulate the salivary glands like citrus fruits and juices and eat foods that don't require much chewing. A person with the mumps should also stay isolated as much as possible to prevent the spread of the illness.

3. Contamination Information

The saliva of an infected person carries the mumps virus. Coughing and sneezing or sharing drinking glasses or eating utensils are easy ways to spread this virus. The incubation period for the mumps is 14 to 25 days. The good thing about the mumps is, similar to the chickenpox, once you've had it once you rarely get it again. Because of the vaccine, mumps is no longer a common childhood illness.

4. When Mumps Become More

If this virus should progress beyond the parotid gland, it can cause some serious complications. It can cause inflammation of the testicles in boys and the ovaries in girls. Pancreatitis or the swelling of the pancreas can also develop and is accompanied by upper abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. In very rare cases, mumps lead to encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain, meningitis, an infection of the membrane and fluid around the brain and even hearing loss.

5. A Real Shot In the Arm

The mumps vaccine, developed in 1967, is part of the MMR measles-mumps-rubella shot. Doctors give this immunization at two separate times; first between 12 and 15 months and again between four- and six-years old. The most common reactions include stinging, swelling and redness at the injection site; a rash or fever lasting for only a few days; and swelling in the glands around the neck. Allergic reactions are very rare but if you observe hives, difficulty breathing or swelling of the face and mouth after receiving the MMR vaccine, seek medical help immediately.