It was one of those rare days when everything seemed to fall into place. The sun was shining, the laundry was done, and I found myself with a free afternoon. With a mug of coffee in hand, I decided to finally tackle the stack of unread books on my bedside table.
The house was quiet, almost too quiet, and I smiled at the thought of my neighbor Lucy and her two kids playing outside. Lucy had mentioned earlier how chaotic things had been lately with both kids juggling school, playdates, and their boundless energy.
Suddenly, the calm was interrupted by the familiar chime of my doorbell. Setting my coffee aside, I opened the door to see Lucy standing there, holding her eight-year-old son, Ethan, by the hand. He looked pale and a bit uncomfortable, his cheek visibly swollen. Lucy’s usual smile was replaced by a worried frown.
“Dr. Priya, I’m sorry to drop in like this,” she said. “But Ethan’s been complaining about his jaw, and now one side of his face looks swollen. He’s running a fever too, and I don’t know what to do.”
I immediately invited them in, sat Ethan on the couch, and grabbed my first aid kit. Lucy’s concern was valid—it looked like Ethan might have mumps. But there was no need to panic; this was something we could handle together.
What is Mumps?
Image courtesy CDC
“Mumps is an infection caused by a virus,” I began, kneeling beside Ethan and gently examining his swollen cheek. “It mainly affects the salivary glands near your ears, called the parotid glands. When these glands are infected, they swell up and can feel tender and painful, just like Ethan’s cheek right now.”
Lucy leaned closer, her brow furrowed. “But I thought mumps wasn’t common anymore because of vaccines?”
“You’re absolutely right,” I said. “Thanks to the MMR vaccine, mumps is much less common than it used to be. But sometimes, even vaccinated kids can get it—though their symptoms are usually milder and they recover more quickly.”
What Are the Symptoms of Mumps?
“Symptoms usually start gradually,” I explained, “and they can mimic a cold at first.”
I outlined the key signs for Lucy so she could keep track of Ethan’s progress:
- Swollen and tender glands near the ears: This usually starts on one side, but in about 70% of cases, the other side becomes swollen within a day or two.
- Fever: A mild to moderate fever is common.
- Tiredness and weakness: Ethan may feel more lethargic than usual.
- Dry mouth: He might complain about his mouth feeling sticky.
- Pain when chewing or opening the mouth: Even talking can sometimes hurt.
- Headache: Some kids develop mild headaches alongside the other symptoms.
Lucy looked concerned. “How long will this last?”
“Most symptoms go away in about a week,” I reassured her. “The swelling might take a little longer, but Ethan should start feeling better soon.”
How Does Mumps Spread
Lucy sighed, glancing at Ethan’s younger sister playing in the next room. “Do I need to keep him away from her?”
“That’s a good idea,” I said gently. “Mumps spreads through things like coughing, sneezing, or sharing cups and utensils. Once someone has the virus, it takes about 18 days for symptoms to show up, which is called the incubation period. The tricky part is that Ethan has likely been contagious for 2 days before the swelling started and will remain contagious for up to 12 days after.”
“Make sure Ethan gets plenty of rest in his own space,” I added. “This will help him recover while protecting others in the house.”
What Are the Risks of Mumps?
“Mumps is usually mild in children,” I explained, “but in rare cases, it can lead to complications.”
1. Swelling in Other Areas
“In boys, mumps can sometimes cause swelling in the testicles, which is called orchitis. It’s painful, but it usually goes away on its own without causing long-term issues. In girls, there’s a rare chance of swelling in the ovaries, but this is very uncommon.”
Lucy’s eyes widened. “Does it affect fertility?”
“It’s very rare,” I reassured her. “Fertility problems only happen if both testicles are severely affected, and that’s extremely uncommon.”
2. Rare Complications
I continued, “Though rare, mumps can also cause:”
- Meningitis or encephalitis: Swelling in the brain or its lining.
- Deafness: Permanent hearing loss can happen if the virus affects the ear’s nerves.
- Pancreatitis: Swelling in the pancreas, which can cause stomach pain.
“These complications are rare,” I added, “and most kids recover completely without any issues.”
How is Mumps Treated?
Lucy looked relieved but still a little worried. “Is there anything I can do to help Ethan feel better?”
“Yes, absolutely,” I said. “Even though there’s no specific cure for mumps, there are plenty of ways to make him more comfortable.”
Home Care for Mumps
- Reduce pain and fever: Give paracetamol for the fever and any discomfort.
- Encourage rest: Let him rest in a quiet, comfortable spot at home.
- Hydration: Offer plenty of fluids. Drinking through a straw might help if his jaw hurts.
- Soft foods: Stick to soups, mashed potatoes, or yogurt—anything easy to chew.
- Compresses: Use warm or cold compresses on the swollen area to reduce pain and swelling.
“Most kids feel better within a week,” I said. “But let me know if anything changes.”
When to See a Doctor
Lucy nodded but asked, “What if things get worse?”
“Call me immediately,” I said, “if you notice any of these signs:”
- Severe pain or swelling in the testicles
- Severe abdominal pain
- Vomiting, confusion, or a stiff neck (these could indicate meningitis)
- Hearing loss or trouble staying awake
“These symptoms are rare,” I added, “but it’s always better to be cautious.”
School Exclusion
Lucy sighed. “How long should I keep Ethan home?”
“Children with mumps should stay home for 9 days from when the swelling starts,” I said. “This helps prevent spreading the virus to other kids.”
How Can Mumps Be Prevented?
“Ethan was vaccinated,” Lucy said, frowning. “I thought the MMR vaccine would protect him.”
“It does, and it’s very effective,” I explained. “But no vaccine is 100% foolproof. The good news is that vaccinated kids usually have much milder symptoms and recover faster.”
MMR Vaccine
“The MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps, and rubella,” I said. “It’s given at 12 months and again between 4 and 5 years old. If most people in the community are vaccinated, it’s much harder for the virus to spread, which protects everyone.”
Key Takeaways About Mumps
As Lucy and Ethan got ready to leave, I summarized everything:
- Mumps is a viral infection that causes swollen, tender glands near the ears.
- It spreads through coughing, sneezing, and sharing utensils.
- Most cases are mild and can be managed with rest, fluids, and compresses.
- Rare complications, like meningitis or orchitis, are possible but unlikely.
- Vaccination is the best way to prevent mumps and reduce its severity.
“Ethan’s going to be just fine,” I said with a smile. “Call me if you have any concerns, and take care of yourself too, Lucy. It’s not easy taking care of a sick little one.”
FAQs About Mumps
1. How long does mumps last?
The swelling and discomfort usually resolve within 7–10 days, though full recovery can take up to 2 weeks.
2. Can adults get mumps?
Yes, unvaccinated adults are at risk, and symptoms are often more severe than in children.
3. Is mumps dangerous?
Mumps is usually mild, but rare complications like meningitis or hearing loss can occur.
4. How can I prevent mumps?
Vaccination with the MMR vaccine is the best prevention.
