Mumps – Symptoms and Causes

Overview

The human body contains three main pairs of salivary glands that produce saliva for our mouth. These include:

• Parotid glands: Located on each side of the face.
• Sublingual glands: Found under the tongue.
• Submandibular glands: Positioned beneath the jaw.

Each of these glands connects to the mouth through its own tube called a duct. This allows saliva to flow from the gland into the mouth where it helps with digestion and keeps the mouth moist.

The parotid glands are particularly notable as they can become swollen and painful during viral infections like mumps. When viruses target these glands, they may enlarge and cause discomfort on the sides of the face.

Health problems affecting these glands can impact saliva production and cause symptoms like dry mouth or pain.

Signs and Symptoms

Mumps symptoms typically appear 2 to 3 weeks after virus exposure. Some people may experience mild symptoms or none at all.

Early signs often resemble the flu:

• Fever
• Headache
• Muscle Aches
• Loss of Appetite
• Fatigue

The most recognizable symptom is swelling of the salivary glands, which usually begins a few days after initial symptoms. This swelling can affect:

1. One or both sides of the face
2. Areas below the ear
3. Sometimes glands under the floor of the mouth

The swollen areas often feel painful or tender when touched. This facial swelling gives mumps its characteristic appearance and helps healthcare providers identify the condition.

When to Call a Healthcare Provider

Contact your healthcare provider if you or your child shows signs of mumps. The virus spreads easily during the first five days after swelling begins.

Call before visiting the clinic so staff can take steps to prevent spreading the illness to others.

Since other conditions may cause similar symptoms, getting a proper diagnosis quickly is important.

Seek medical attention if your child develops:

• Fever reaching 103°F (39°C) or higher
• Difficulty eating or drinking
• Confusion or disorientation
• Abdominal pain
• Testicle pain and swelling

While waiting for your appointment:

1. Get plenty of rest.
2. Use over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen to manage discomfort.
3. Apply cold or warm compresses to swollen glands for relief.

Causes

Mumps spreads through a virus found in an infected person’s saliva. The virus travels in tiny droplets released during coughing or sneezing. You can catch mumps by:

• Breathing in these airborne droplets
• Touching contaminated surfaces, then touching your face
• Direct contact, like kissing or sharing drinks

The virus is highly contagious in crowded places. This explains why outbreaks happen most often in settings where people live or work closely together, such as:

• College campuses
• Summer camps
• Schools

The close quarters in these environments make it easy for the virus to spread from person to person quickly.

Possible Problems

Mumps can lead to several health issues, especially for people who haven’t gotten the vaccine. These problems can occur even if you don’t have swollen glands.

When the mumps virus spreads to other parts of the body, complications may develop:

Testicle Swelling (Orchitis)

• Causes severe pain
• More common after puberty
• May reduce testicle size
• Can affect fertility

Ovary Swelling (Oophoritis)

• Causes pain, upset stomach, vomiting, and fever
• Happens more often after puberty
• Usually doesn’t affect the ability to have children

Brain Inflammation (Encephalitis)

• Damages brain tissue
• Can change consciousness levels
• May cause seizures and poor muscle control

Meningitis

• Inflammation of the membranes around the brain and spinal cord
• Symptoms include headache, fever, and stiff neck
• Rarely causes lasting problems when related to mumps

Hearing Problems

• Can happen suddenly or gradually
• Hearing typically improves after recovery

Pancreas Inflammation (Pancreatitis)

• Causes swelling and damage to the pancreas
• Signs include stomach area pain, nausea, vomiting, and fever

Pregnancy Risks

• Getting mumps in the first three months of pregnancy might increase miscarriage risk

These complications show why vaccination is important. The mumps vaccine helps protect against both the main illness and these serious problems.

Ways to Prevent Mumps

The mumps shot is part of regular childhood vaccines. Doctors give it as the MMR shot, which protects against three illnesses at once. Children should get:

• First shot: Between 12-15 months old
• Second shot: Between 4-6 years old before starting school

There’s also an MMRV shot that adds protection against chickenpox, but doctors don’t usually use this for the first dose in young children.

Many studies in different countries have proven that MMR and MMRV shots do not cause autism. The paper that suggested this link in 1998 contained scientific mistakes and was removed from medical records in 2010.

Major health organizations like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have found no connection between these vaccines and autism.

Who Should Get the MMR Shot

If you haven’t had both doses or aren’t sure about your vaccination status, talk to your doctor. You might need the full series or a booster shot, especially if you’re in situations with higher risk.

People who often need proof of vaccination include:

• College students
• Military members
• People traveling internationally
• Healthcare workers

During mumps outbreaks, some people may need an extra dose for better protection, based on their doctor’s advice.

Who Doesn’t Need the MMR Shot

If you’re unsure about your protection status, a simple blood test can check for mumps antibodies. Having these antibodies means your body can fight off the infection, so you don’t need another shot.

People born before 1957 likely encountered mumps naturally and have immunity already.

The MMR vaccine contains a weakened but live mumps virus. This means certain groups should usually avoid it:

• People with severely weakened immune systems
• Pregnant women

However, doctors might recommend the vaccine in some special cases if the benefits outweigh the risks.

Possible Side Effects

The MMR vaccine is safe. Most people have no problems after getting it. When side effects do happen, they’re usually mild:

• Sore arm where the shot was given
• Low fever
• Rash at the injection site
• Swollen glands in the neck or cheeks

These common reactions typically go away on their own within a few days.

Less common reactions might include:

Rare Side Effects	Very Rare Side Effects
Joint pain	Severe allergic reaction
Temporary stiffness	Seizures
Brief drop in blood platelets	Widespread rash

Anyone who has a severe allergic reaction to the first dose shouldn’t get a second one. People allergic to vaccine ingredients should also avoid it.