Introduction

Mumps is a contagious viral infection. It induces painful swelling in parotid glands on both sides of your face. Mumps are most common in children, but one may be affected by the infection at any age. This infection quickly spreads through coughing and sneezing.

What are Mumps?

Mumps is a contagious viral illness¹, caused by the rubella virus, which belongs to a group of viruses called paramyxoviruses.² The infection begins with modest symptoms, including headache, fever, and exhaustion. However, it usually results in significant swelling in salivary glands called parotid glands, which causes puffy cheeks, a sore, and a swollen jaw.

Mumps was a widespread early-age infection, but as the vaccine became available in 1967, the number of cases was minimised. However, outbreaks of mumps still occur, especially among unvaccinated people. The mumps virus is most common in children, but the disease can also affect adults. There is no specific medication for mumps; treatment solely relies on relieving the symptoms.

Symptoms

Classical symptoms of mumps³ include

• Pain in ears
• Trouble in chewing
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Bodyache
• Loss of appetite
• Malaise

After a few days of exposure to the virus, the parotid gland swells. The parotid glands are the major salivary glands located just beneath and in front of each tear, and the inflammation of these parotid glands is called parotitis, which may occur on one or both sides of the face.

The typical mumps symptom resembles "chipmunk cheeks" because the cheeks inflate and the jaw widens. Parotitis affects more than 70% of mumps patients. It is important to note that touching the mumps virus will most likely transmit it to someone else until your parotid glands enlarge.

Causes of mumps

The mumps virus causes mumps, a paramyxovirus.⁴ The virus is transmitted from person-to-person via direct contact with the contaminated saliva or respiratory droplets from the infected person's nose, mouth, or throat. The infected individual can spread the mumps virus by:

• Sneezing, coughing, or speaking
• Sharing items containing infectious saliva, such as toys, cups, and utensils
• Playing sports, dancing, kissing, or engaging in other activities that require intimate touch with people

Some people are more likely to get affected by mumps. They are 

• Individuals having compromised immune systems
• Individuals who travel worldwide
• People who have not been immunised against the virus
• People residing in close quarters, such as college campuses

Complications of Mumps

Complications may be rare but sometimes lead to complications, particularly in adults.⁵

Complications may include:

• Meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges (the membrane covering the brain and spinal cord). It may have severe consequences, such as seizures, strokes, or death
• Orchitis: Inflammation of one or both the testicles is called orchitis. This may result in the reduction of the size of the testicles, which is called testicular atrophy. One can easily manage the pain associated with orchitis by placing a cold pack on the testicles several times daily
• Pancreatitis: Inflammation of the pancreas is called pancreatitis. Symptoms include fever, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. However, mumps-induced pancreatitis is a temporary condition
• Oophoritis: Inflammation of one or both ovaries is called oophoritis. The inflammation may cause pain but doesn't harm women's eggs—however, the chances of miscarriage increase in case of pregnancy
• Encephalitis: Encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain. Consult your healthcare practitioner if you observe severe headaches or seizures during mumps
• Deafness: in rare cases, mumps may cause deafness

Mumps in pregnancy

Mumps in pregnant women are usually harmless and do not cause any more complications than in non-pregnancies.

However, in complicated cases, rarely it may cause 

• Miscarriage
• Stillbirth
• Premature birth
• Low birth weight
• Congenital disabilities

The risk of harm to the baby due to mumps is highest in the first trimester. However, regardless of the stage of your pregnancy, if you've been exposed to mumps, inform your doctor immediately. MMR vaccine should be avoided in pregnancy, but it is safe to get your vaccine if you are breastfeeding because it will not cause any harm to the baby through breast milk.

Management of Mumps

Diagnosis of Mumps

Mumps are usually diagnosed based on telltale symptoms, i.e., swollen salivary glands and puffed-up "chipmunk cheeks." However, the healthcare practitioner may confirm the diagnosis after a physical examination and laboratory tests. The following tests are used to detect and diagnose mumps:

• A mouth-sample test
• A blood test may reveal an immunological response to the infection
• A less prevalent urine test

Treatment of Mumps

Currently, there is no specific medicine to treat mumps.⁶ As a virus causes the infection, it has to run its course. The symptoms relieve themselves after a few days. Mumps treatment focuses on symptom relief until the immune system can battle the viral infection.

In the meantime, the following procedures may be helpful.

• To have a lot of bed rest till your symptoms subsided
• To ease discomfort, use over-the-counter medications, such as ibuprofen or paracetamol (children aged 16 and under should not be given aspirin)
• Consume plenty of fluids, but avoid acidic liquids like fruit juice, which might irritate your parotid glands; water is typically the best fluid to consume
• Apply a warm or cool compress to your swollen glands to relieve the pain
• Consume items that do not require chewing, such as soup
• Suck on an ice pop to relieve a sore throat
• Apply cold or heat packs to inflamed glands

Prevention of Mumps

Mumps vaccination is the most effective technique for preventing mumps. It is available alone or combined with the MMR vaccine, which protects the body from rubella and measles.

The MMR vaccination is administered to babies when they are just over one year old and again as a booster before they begin going to school.

The MMR vaccination is highly safe and effective. It protects against mumps in up to 90% of people. Most children do not have any adverse reactions to the immunisation, and if any adverse reaction happens that is minimal. The mumps vaccination may result in a rash, fever, or mild discomfort at the injection site.

Adverse reactions to the MMR immunisation are unusual. If your child experiences trouble breathing, exhaustion, loss of colour, or wheezing after vaccination, contact the healthcare professional immediately.

Prevention of the spread of germs

Adults and children with mumps symptoms should limit their interaction with other household members. The following basic hygienic actions can help control the disease:

• Wash your hands thoroughly
• Cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough
• Regularly clean areas that are often touched

MMR vaccine for adults

Anyone born in the year 1957 or later who has never had mumps or been vaccinated is susceptible to mumps should get at least two doses of MMR vaccination.⁷ Teenagers and adults alike should have had their MMR immunisations. 

College students without immunity require two doses of MMR vaccination spaced by at least 28 days. Other individuals at increased risk, such as overseas travellers and healthcare workers, should have two doses of the MMR vaccination. MMR vaccination is both safe and effective. A person who receives two doses of the MMR vaccination has an 88% lower chance of contracting mumps, but a person who receives one dose has a 78% lower risk.⁷

FAQ's

Do mumps cause fever?

Mumps is a contagious viral illness. It does not always cause symptoms. If mumps cause symptoms, it can cause fever, swelling of the salivary glands (parotitis) and inflammation in other body parts.⁸

Which tablet is best for mumps?

There are currently no medicines to treat the mumps virus. The infection usually passes within a week or two.⁶

How long do mumps last?

Mumps has no cure, but the infection should pass within 1 or 2 weeks. Treatment relieves symptoms and includes getting plenty of bed rest and fluids. Using painkillers, such as ibuprofen and paracetamol – aspirin should not be given to children under 16.⁶

Summary

• Mumps is a contagious viral infection
• Symptoms include fever, headache, weakness and swollen parotid glands
• The virus spreads through coughing, sneezing, and close contact with the infected person
• Mumps may also cause complications like meningitis, pancreatitis, and orchitis
• Diagnosis involves a thorough physical examination and laboratory tests
• Treatment is based on relieving symptoms
• MMR vaccine is very safe and should be administered to children at the age of 1 year and the second dose at the age of going to school, i.e., between 4 and 6 years
• Adults can be vaccinated anytime with a gap of 28 days