Mumps

Mumps is a contagious virus that causes swollen cheeks, fever, and body aches, spreading through coughing, sneezing, or sharing food, and can sometimes lead to serious complications like meningitis or infertility.

• Mumps is a highly contagious virus that spreads through coughing, sneezing, and sharing food or drinks. It primarily affects children but can cause serious complications in teens and adults.
• Symptoms & Complications
  • A person with mumps is contagious from about 2 days before symptoms appear until 5 days after swelling begins.
  • Symptoms appear 12-25 days after exposure and include:
    • Swollen cheeks and jaw (due to inflamed salivary glands)
    • Fever, headache, muscle aches, and fatigue
    • Loss of appetite
    • Symptoms last for 7-10 days.
  • In severe cases, mumps can lead to:
    • Meningitis (infection of the brain and spinal cord)
    • Hearing loss (temporary or permanent)
    • Orchitis (painful swelling of the testicles that can cause infertility)
    • Oophoritis (swelling of the ovaries, causing pelvic pain)
• No Cure—Only Prevention
  • There is no specific treatment for mumps—only rest, fluids, and pain relief. The best protection is the MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, rubella), which has drastically reduced cases worldwide. 

The MMR Vaccines remain the best protection against Mumps. Stay protected. Stay informed.

 

Here is a video that goes into more detail about Mumps.