Mumps is a viral infection that was common in children before routine immunization. The incubation period is 2-3 weeks. The illness usually starts with a fever, headache, and muscle aches. These are usually followed by swelling on one or both sides of the face and neck of the parotid salivary glands, which are just in front of and below the ears. Talking, eating, and drinking may be painful. Mumps is usually mild in children, but teenagers and adults may develop potentially serious complications.
See your doctor first
Make an appointment to see your doctor to confirm mumps and check for complications.
PREVENTION
Immunization to protect against mumps is given as part of the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine. Make sure your child is immunized.
Seek further medical advice
Arrange to see your doctor if you or your child develops:
* Pain in the abdomen or chest
* Swelling and pan in the testicles.
What you can do yourself
There is no specific treatment for mumps, but you can make yourself or your child more comfortable.
* Rest until symptoms begin to ease.
* A warm compress, such as a face flannel soaked in warm water, applied to the side of the face, can help to relieve pain in swollen glands,
* Drink plenty of fluids, but avoid acidic fruit juices because they stimulate saliva and may make the enlarged glands more painful. Use a straw if opening the mouth is painful.
* Have soups, yoghurts and other soft, bland foods that are easy to swallow.
* A painkiller will help reduce fever and relieve aches and pains (see DRUG REMEDIES).
* If mumps affects the testicles, stay in be and wear supportive clothing, such as two pairs of close-fitting underpants, until symptoms ease.
* If there are no complications, a child can usually go back to school, or an adult can return to work, 5 days after the onset of swollen glands, However, full recovery can take 1-2 weeks.
DRUG REMEDIES
Painkillers will bring down a fever and relieve muscle aches and the pain of swollen glands.
* For a child, give paracetamol. This drug is available in a variety of forms, such as liquid medicine, soluble tablets, or melt-in-the-mouth tablets. Alternatively, you can give liquid ibuprofen. Your pharmacist will advise you which is most suitable for your child.
* Adults can take paracetamol or ibuprofen.
See your doctor first
Make an appointment to see your doctor to confirm mumps and check for complications.
PREVENTION
Immunization to protect against mumps is given as part of the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine. Make sure your child is immunized.
Seek further medical advice
Arrange to see your doctor if you or your child develops:
* Pain in the abdomen or chest
* Swelling and pan in the testicles.
What you can do yourself
There is no specific treatment for mumps, but you can make yourself or your child more comfortable.
* Rest until symptoms begin to ease.
* A warm compress, such as a face flannel soaked in warm water, applied to the side of the face, can help to relieve pain in swollen glands,
* Drink plenty of fluids, but avoid acidic fruit juices because they stimulate saliva and may make the enlarged glands more painful. Use a straw if opening the mouth is painful.
* Have soups, yoghurts and other soft, bland foods that are easy to swallow.
* A painkiller will help reduce fever and relieve aches and pains (see DRUG REMEDIES).
* If mumps affects the testicles, stay in be and wear supportive clothing, such as two pairs of close-fitting underpants, until symptoms ease.
* If there are no complications, a child can usually go back to school, or an adult can return to work, 5 days after the onset of swollen glands, However, full recovery can take 1-2 weeks.
DRUG REMEDIES
Painkillers will bring down a fever and relieve muscle aches and the pain of swollen glands.
* For a child, give paracetamol. This drug is available in a variety of forms, such as liquid medicine, soluble tablets, or melt-in-the-mouth tablets. Alternatively, you can give liquid ibuprofen. Your pharmacist will advise you which is most suitable for your child.
* Adults can take paracetamol or ibuprofen.
