Mumps

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Mumps is an infection that commonly affects the parotid glands. Parotid glands make saliva (spit), and are located in front of and below each ear. Mumps is spread from person to person by a germ called a virus. Children should get an MMR vaccination (measles, mumps, and rubella shot) to keep from getting the infection. Mumps can spread to anyone who has not had an MMR shot or mumps in the past. An infected person can spread mumps from two days before to ten days after signs and symptoms first appear. After your child is infected, it may take two to three weeks for him to get sick. Once your child has mumps, he is immune (will not get it again).
  
  
• People of any age can have mumps, but it is most common in children and young adults. Mumps usually goes away 10 to 14 days after the first signs and symptoms of sickness occur. Your child's first signs and symptoms may be fever, headache, and tiredness. A few days later, the glands on one or both sides of the cheeks and neck may swell. These glands may be hard and painful. Your child's ear may hurt and he may have abdominal (belly) pain. It may be painful for your child to chew or move his mouth. Your child may not want to eat or drink. If your child is a boy, his testicles may become red, swollen, or painful.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Medicines:

• Give your child's medicine as directed: Call your child's primary healthcare provider if you think the medicine is not working as expected. Tell him if your child is allergic to any medicine. Ask before you change or stop giving your child his medicines.
  
  
• Do not give aspirin to children under 18 years of age: Your child could develop Reye syndrome if he takes aspirin. Reye syndrome can cause life-threatening brain and liver damage. Check your child's medicine labels for aspirin, salicylates, or oil of wintergreen.
  
  
• Acetaminophen: Acetaminophen is over-the-counter (OTC) medicine that may help ease your child's fever and discomfort. Read the label on the medicine so that you give the right amount to your child. Ask your child's caregiver to help you learn how much medicine to give and how often to give it.
  
  
• Ibuprofen: If your child has a lot of swelling, the caregiver may tell you to give him ibuprofen. Ibuprofen is in a family of medicine called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicine (NSAIDs). This medicine may help decrease pain, redness, and swelling.
  
  
• Read the ingredient labels of all medicines that you give to your child: Do not give your child other over-the-counter (OTC) medicines without first talking to your child's caregiver. Many of these medicines may also have acetaminophen or ibuprofen in them. Giving too much acetaminophen or ibuprofen may harm your child.
  
  
• MMR vaccine: This vaccine helps prevent measles, mumps, and rubella. Children 1 year of age and older get 2 doses. These are usually given between ages 15 and 18 months and again between ages 4 and 6 years.

How can I help my child while he has mumps?

• Help your child to rest. Your child should rest as much as possible and get plenty of sleep. If your child feels OK, allow him to do play that will not make him tired. Give him books or a drawing pad for quiet play.
  
  
• Use heat to help decrease your child's pain. Use a heating pad (turned on low) or make a warm compress and put it on your child's neck. To make a warm compress, wet a clean towel with warm water and wring it out. Put the heating pad or compress on your child's neck for 15 to 20 minutes each hour. Do this for as long as your child needs it. Do not let your child sleep on the heating pad. This could cause a bad burn.
  
  
• Use an ice pack to help decrease swelling and pain. Use a bag of frozen peas or corn, or put ice in a plastic bag. Cover it with a towel. Place this over your child's swollen glands for 15 to 20 minutes each hour. Do this for as long as your child needs it. Do not let your child sleep on the ice pack because he could get frostbite.
  
  
• Give your child soft foods to eat. Offer your child soft foods such as cooked cereal, rice, mashed potatoes, applesauce, or soup. Do not serve foods that are sour or hard to chew because they may make your child's pain worse. Give your child his usual foods as his mouth pain goes away.
  
  
• Give your child plenty of liquids. Your child should drink at least six to eight (8 ounce) cups of water or other clear liquids. If your child is dehydrated or will not eat regular food, he may need oral rehydration solution (ORS). It has the right amounts of water, salts, and sugar your child needs to replace the lost water. Ask a caregiver if your child needs ORS.
  
  
• Keep your child home from school or day care until his neck is no longer swollen. This usually takes about 10 days after the pain and swelling started. Call your child's school or daycare to tell them your child has the mumps. If you cannot stay with your child on the days before your child's mumps have gone away, ask others to help. Talk to adult family members or friends who have had an MMR shot or mumps in the past. Ask them if they can stay with your child if needed.

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• Your child has a fever.
  
  
• Your child starts to vomit (throw up).
  
  
• Your child gets abdominal (belly) pain that will not go away.
  
  
• Your child has pain or swelling of the testicles.
  
  
• Your child's eyes become uncomfortable or red.
  
  
• The skin over the swollen area becomes red at any time.
  
  
• The swelling lasts for eight days or more.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• Your child has a convulsion (seizure) or trouble thinking clearly.
  
  
• Your child has a severe headache that is not relieved by pain medicine.
  
  
• Your child has a stiff neck.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Learn more about Mumps (Aftercare Instructions)