If you are having any symptoms or have any questions, please call 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day.

OVERVIEW

What are mumps?

 Mumps is a virus. It causes the glands around your neck (between your ear and jaw) to swell. These glands make the saliva (spit) that helps you chew and swallow food. Mumps is most common in children 2 to 12 years of age who haven’t received the mumps vaccine.  You can get mumps as an adult if you did not get the vaccine. Some people call the virus “the mumps.”

SYMPTOMS

What are the symptoms of mumps?

• The most noticeable symptom is swelling in the face. Some people refer to this as “chipmunk cheeks.”  Swelling can last five to seven days. The other noticeable symptom is neck pain in the area between your ear and jaw. Other symptoms include:
  • A high fever (39.4°C to 40°C (103°F to 104°F) that lasts 2 to 3 days
  • Chills
  • Lack of appetite
  • Headache
  • Sore throat
  • Swelling of the temples

Mild symptoms usually disappear within 2 weeks.

In serious cases, mumps can affect your organs. This includes testicles, the ovaries, the pancreas and the brain. It can lead to miscarriage, hearing loss and meningitis. Meningitis is an infection of membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. Contact your healthcare provider if you have more severe symptoms. This would include:

• Severe headache
• Stiff neck
• Eye redness
• Drowsiness
• Abdominal pain
• Vomiting
• Testicle pain or lump
• Seizures

If you are pregnant and may have been exposed to mumps, you should contact their healthcare provider, even if you don’t show any symptoms.

CAUSES & RISK FACTORS

What causes mumps?

Mumps is caused by a virus that is spread by infected saliva. This means the virus can spread very much like the common cold. For example, if an infected person sneezes near you or you touch something that an infected person has touched, and you have not been immunized, you may get the mumps. Normally, you won’t get sick until 12 to 24 days after being exposed to the virus. These 12 to 24 days are called the incubation period.

DIAGNOSIS

How are mumps diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider will ask you questions about your symptoms and do a physical exam. Your healthcare provider also may do a throat culture or blood test. A throat culture involves swabbing the back of your throat.

PREVENTION

Can mumps be prevented or avoided?

Yes. The measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (MMRV) vaccine prevents the mumps in 80% to 90% of people. Two doses are more effective than one. Thanks to this vaccine, very few people get the mumps in Canada anymore. However, outbreaks can still occur in locations where immunization rates are low.

The MMRV immunization is usually given to infants 12 months of age and again at 18 months of age OR at 4-6 years of age. However, it is never too late to be immunized. Adults born in 1970 or later who have not had measles disease or received two doses of measles vaccine should get this vaccination.   If you work in a public setting or in the health care field, you should get immunized if you haven’t already. Contact your healthcare provider or public health if you think you may need to be immunized.

TREATMENT

How are mumps treated?

There is no medicine to treat mumps. It usually goes away on its own within two weeks. Because it is a viral infection, antibiotics do not work. If you or your child has mumps, you can take some steps to relieve discomfort:

• Place ice or heat packs on swollen cheeks.
• Take acetaminophen (brand name: Tylenol) for pain or ibuprofen (brand names: Advil, Motrin) for pain and swelling. Never give aspirin to children or teenagers 18 years of age or younger because of the risk of Reye’s syndrome. Reye’s syndrome is a serious illness that can lead to death.
• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Eat soft foods that don’t require much chewing.
• Avoid acidic foods or foods that make your mouth water, such as citrus fruits.
• Gargle with warm salt water several times a day.
• Try popsicles to soothe your throat.
• For swollen testicles, support the scrotum with an athletic supporter. Ice packs may reduce pain. Sterility (not being able to have children) is a very rare complication.
• Avoid public places and close contact for at least five days after symptoms appear. This is when you are the most contagious.

People who have the mumps once become immune to it for life and can’t get it again.

Living with mumps

Living with mumps involves living with mild symptoms for two weeks. This will include pain, swelling, loss of appetite, headache, sore throat, fever and chills. The frustrating part of living with mumps is not being able to get out and see people. Because mumps is contagious, you must avoid all contact as much as possible. Long-term complications are rare. This would include organ damage.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness
https://novascotia.ca/dhw/cdpc/immunization.asp

Prince Edward Island Department of Health and Wellness
https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/information/health-and-wellness/adult-and-child-immunization-pei

Public Health Agency of Canada
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/immunization/vaccine-preventable-diseases/mumps/prevention.html