HealthTree Blog

While mumps is not one of the more common childhood diseases today, thanks to the MMR vaccine, it can and does still occur, and outbreaks are only sometimes reported. For this reason, it is important to know the symptoms of mumps, and possible complications.
Mumps generally start out as most childhood diseases do, with aching muscles, a feeling of tiredness, and appetite loss. These symptoms may last for a few days before the characteristic swelling of the salivary glands, specifically, the parotid glands, appears.
Pain in the mouth, throat, and cheeks may occur along with the swelling of the parotid glands. Ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or naproxen sodium can be given for pain and fever, although aspirin should never be given to children under 18, as there is a risk for Reye’s syndrome, a rare but very dangerous illness.
Mumps are usually not serious; however, some signs that complications may be occurring include abdominal pain and – in males, both adult and children – swelling of the testes. If the pain in the abdomen or testes becomes severe, a health care professional should be contacted immediately.

Very rarely, brain swelling may occur. This can be life-threatening, and should be addressed immediately. Signs that brain swelling is occurring or has occurred include inability to keep a child awake, confusion, and rarely, seizures. If brain swelling is suspected, the patient may need to receive emergency treatment.
As mentioned earlier, mumps is not one of the more common childhood diseases, because of the measles/mumps/rubella (MMR) vaccine. It is important that your child receive this immunization, as it does decrease the chance that he may contract mumps, even if an outbreak is occurring.
It should also be remembered that adults can contract mumps. In adult males, this disease can possibly lead to sterility. If an adult male should get mumps, a health care professional should be consulted, as there may be treatment available that can prevent or reduce the possibility of sterility.