Mumps

Mumps is a contagious viral illness that can cause fever, swollen salivary glands (parotitis) and inflammation in other parts of the body. Mumps has become uncommon in many places because of the widespread use of the mumps vaccine. However, outbreaks still occur, so it is important to keep vaccinating children.

Symptoms of mumps#

Signs and symptoms may include:

• fever
• headache
• fatigue
• weight loss
• a swollen parotid gland (the salivary gland in front of the ear) on one or both sides of the face
• painful chewing or swallowing

Complications#

Complications from mumps are uncommon, but can include:

• brain inflammation (encephalitis)
• inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord (meningitis)
• testicle inflammation (orchitis)
• ovary inflammation (oophoritis)
• breast inflammation (mastitis)
• miscarriage
• hearing loss

Sterility (the inability to have children) can sometimes occur in men who have had testicle inflammation, but this is very rare.

How mumps spreads#

Mumps is commonly spread when a person breathes in the virus that has been coughed or sneezed into the air by an infectious person. It can also spread through direct contact with the saliva of an infected person.

The time from being exposed to the virus to becoming unwell can range from 12 to 25 days, but is often 16 to 18 days. People with mumps can spread the virus up to 7 days before and 9 days after their face starts to swell, but they are most infectious from 2 days before to 5 days after the facial swelling starts.

Who is at risk#

People who are not immunised, or who have not had mumps before, are at risk of catching the virus. This risk increases if they travel to areas where mumps is common.

Prevention and immunisation#

Vaccination is the best way to prevent mumps and its potential serious complications. The mumps vaccine is only available in combination with other vaccines, as a measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR) or a measles, mumps, rubella and varicella vaccine (MMRV).

Mumps-containing vaccine is usually given in childhood, typically as two doses, with the first dose given at around 12 months of age and the doses given at least four weeks apart. Catch-up doses are recommended for people who have not had two documented doses of a mumps-containing vaccine or who do not have blood test results showing immunity. If you have not been fully vaccinated, ask your doctor or immunisation provider about catch-up doses.

The immunisations you may need depend on your health, age, lifestyle and occupation. Talk to your doctor or immunisation provider if you think you or someone in your care may need vaccination.

Who should not be vaccinated#

Mumps-containing vaccines are not recommended for some people, including:

• pregnant women
• people with a weakened immune system — ask your doctor if this applies to you

Women who are planning pregnancy and do not have immunity to mumps should be vaccinated before becoming pregnant, or delay vaccination until after the birth of their child. Vaccinated women should avoid pregnancy for 28 days after vaccination. If you are pregnant (or planning to become pregnant) or have a weakened immune system, contact your doctor or immunisation provider to discuss your options.

Diagnosis#

Mumps is diagnosed based on symptoms, a physical examination and your medical history (including your vaccination status and travel history). Tests such as a cheek swab or blood test can confirm whether you have mumps.

Treatment#

There is no specific treatment for mumps, and antibiotics do not work because the illness is viral. There are ways to ease symptoms and reduce the risk of complications. People with mumps should:

• isolate at home to reduce the risk of spreading the disease
• rest
• drink plenty of fluids
• take paracetamol to reduce pain and fever
• apply cold compresses to the swollen parotid glands
• eat soft, easy-to-swallow foods such as soup, porridge or pureed vegetables

A case of mumps without complications usually gets better within about two weeks.

See your doctor if you:

• are getting sicker
• have a high fever
• have pain anywhere other than the face, as this may be a sign of inflammation in another organ

Public health and caring for others#

People with mumps should stay at home until they are no longer infectious — this can be up to 9 days after the start of facial swelling. Children with mumps must not attend primary school or children’s services, such as childcare, for 5 days from the start of swelling or until the swelling goes down, whichever is sooner. This reduces the chance of spreading the illness to others.

If you are caring for someone with mumps, practise strict hygiene. You should:

• encourage the sick person to cough or sneeze into a tissue
• wash your hands frequently
• avoid sharing food or drink utensils

You are at risk of mumps if you have been in contact with someone who has mumps and you are not fully vaccinated or have not had mumps before. Watch for symptoms for 25 days after being exposed and see a doctor if you feel sick. If you have not had two doses of a mumps-containing vaccine, you should get vaccinated, although this might not prevent mumps from this particular exposure.

Key points#

• Mumps has become uncommon in many places because of the mumps vaccine, but outbreaks still occur, so it is important to keep vaccinating children.
• Complications are uncommon but can include encephalitis, meningitis, miscarriage and hearing loss.
• People who are not immunised or who have not had mumps before are at risk, especially when travelling to areas where mumps is common.
• There is no specific treatment; care focuses on rest, fluids, pain relief and reducing the spread.
• Vaccination is the best way to prevent mumps and its serious complications.

Where to get help#