Mumps is a virus that causes swelling of the salivary glands. It's highly contagious, but advances in vaccinations have greatly reduced the occurrence of this illness. Complications from mumps are rare. The virus cannot be treated with antibiotics, so it needs to run its course. Always consult with your child's pediatrician for proper diagnosis and treatment of your child's symptoms.
Determining if Your Child Has Mumps
Step 1
Examine your child's cheeks to determine if swelling is present. The parotid glands are located between your ears and jaw. These glands will become swollen and will make your child resemble a hamster with food stored in its cheeks. The swelling is painful if touched.
Step 2
Check your child's temperature. A fever up to 103 degrees Fahrenheit will be present for three to five days with mumps. Also, ask your child if it hurts when he moves his mouth or swallows. Mumps make it painful to swallow, talk, chew and drink acidic juices.
Step 3
Compare your child's symptoms with those that occur with mumps. The swollen cheeks and fever are only two common symptoms. Your child may also have a headache, loss of appetite, nausea, weakness, sore throat and occasional vomiting. Males may have testicular pain and a lump, as well as scrotal swelling, according to PubMed Health.
Step 4
Determine if your child has been diagnosed with mumps in the past. If you do not have these records, consult with your child's pediatrician. Once you have mumps, you build immunity to the virus so your previously infected child is unable to have mumps a second time, notes healthychildren.org.
Step 5
Review your child's vaccination records. The MMR vaccination prevents mumps, measles and rubella. If your child has had this vaccination, it's unlikely he has mumps.
Step 6
Ask your child's pediatrician or local hospital if there's a mumps outbreak. Check with your child's school, friends and family to see if your child has been around someone with mumps. The virus is very contagious if your child is not immune by having the virus previously or the vaccination.
Tips and Warnings
- If your pediatrician determines mumps is not causing the symptoms and your child has not had the MMR vaccination, discuss vaccinating your child with your doctor. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help relieve pain and reduce your child's fever. Have your child drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration and eat soft bland foods.
- Mumps can lead to inflammation of the brain, spinal cord and other organs. Seek emergency medical care if your child experiences convulsions, extreme drowsiness or a stiff neck. Never give aspirin to children since it increase their risk of Reye's Syndrome, which is potentially fatal. Sterility is rare if testicles become inflamed due to mumps.
Things You'll Need
- Thermometer
- Acetaminophen or ibuprofen
- Medical records
- Water
- Soft foods
