What is mumps?
Mumps is a disease caused by a virus.
What are the symptoms of mumps?
The first symptoms of mumps include fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness and loss of appetite. Following the initial symptoms, the salivary glands may swell, giving the cheeks and jaw a swollen appearance. Most of the time, mumps is a mild disease. However, in rare cases, mumps can cause encephalitis, swelling of the testicles or ovaries, or deafness. Some people infected with mumps may have mild symptoms or no symptoms at all.
How do you contract mumps?
People contract mumps by contact with respiratory droplets of a person already infected with mumps. Droplets could be spread through the air by coughing, sneezing or talking.
How soon do symptoms appear?
Symptoms of mumps generally appear between 14 – 18 days after exposure to the virus, however the range is 12 –25 days.
How long are people with mumps contagious?
Infected persons are contagious from about 3 days before to 9 days after the onset of symptoms. People infected with mumps that have mild or no symptoms may still be able to transmit the virus to others.
How is mumps treated?
Currently there is no specific treatment for mumps. The treatment is tailored to what symptoms are present.
How can I prevent mumps?
The mumps vaccine, usually given with measles and rubella in a shot called MMR, can prevent mumps. The vaccine is currently given to children at 12 -15 months of age and again between 4 and 6 years of age.
