What is mumps?

Mumps is an acute viral disease caused by the mumps virus which is a Paramyxoviridae virus.

Mumps was a common childhood disease before a vaccine was widely available starting in the 1970s. Because most people have now been vaccinated, mumps is a rare disease in the United States. Of those people who do get mumps, up to half have very mild, or no symptoms, and therefore do not know they were infected with mumps.

What are the symptoms of the mumps?

The symptoms of the mumps include: Swelling and tenderness in front and below the ear, fever, headache, muscle aches, or earache.

However, one-third of the people exposed to the mumps virus will not show any symptoms.

How is the mumps spread?

The mumps virus is expelled into the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

If I’ve been exposed to the mumps how long will it take for symptoms to develop?

Symptoms usually appear in 16 to 18 days, but can be as soon as 14 days and as long as 25 days.

How long is a person with the mumps contagious?

A person infected with mumps is contagious from six days before until nine days after swelling begins. They are most contagious 48 hours before the onset of symptoms.

How can I keep from getting the mumps?

The mumps vaccine (usually MMR) is the best way to prevent mumps. Other things people can do to prevent mumps and other infections is:

·   Wash your hands with soap, and to teach children to wash their hands too.

·   Do not share eating utensils

·  Clean any surfaces that are frequently touched, such as toys, doorknobs, tables, counters, etc, soap and water, or with cleaning wipes.

What should I do if I think I have the mumps?

Stay home; do not go to work or school. Contact your physician. Inform the office if you were exposed to someone with the mumps.

If I have the mumps, how can I prevent others from getting it?

If your doctor tells you he thinks you or your children have the mumps, stay home. Do not go to work or school for nine days after the onset of the swelling.

You should also practice good hand washing (scrub for at least 30 seconds using soap and water), and cough or sneeze into a tissue or cough into your sleeve. Dispose of tissues properly.

Isn’t there a vaccine for mumps?

Mumps is preventable with the mumps vaccine which is a component of the MMR vaccine. This vaccine is effective for both children and adults.

If your child is over 12 months of age make sure they have received the MMR vaccine. If your child has not been immunized and has been exposed to a confirmed case of the mumps, have them immunized and keep them at home from the 12^th to the 25^th day after exposure.

An adult should be vaccinated with the MMR if:

1. Your are a student

2. You work in health care

3. You travel internationally

4. You are a woman of child bearing age.

You do not need the vaccine if:

1. Your blood shows immunity

2. You are a man born before 1957

3. You are a woman born before 1957 and you are sure you will not be having more children

4. You have previously received MMR

What treatments are available for the mumps ? How serious is the disease?

There is no specific treatment for the mumps, other than staying home and resting until all symptoms are gone.

Generally, mumps does not cause serious problems. In rare cases, however, mumps can cause encephalitis or meningitis; or problems with the reproductive system.

Where can I get more information on the mumps?

For more information online, you can visit the Centers for Disease Control at http://www.cdc.gov/mumps/index.html.

Or, for more information on the MMR (the vaccine for mumps) or any other concerns about mumps, please call the Health Department’s Epidemiology Services at 859.363.2070.