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Mumps
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| MUMPS |
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About the Disease
Mumps is a viral infection of the parotid glands, one of three pairs of salivary glands located below and in front of your ears. In most mumps cases both glands are affected, causing the cheeks to bulge out as if stuffed with food.
The disease is spread through contact with saliva. Mumps has been in decline in the U.S. Since 1995, fewer than 1,000 cases have been reported annually. However, the risk for exposure to mumps outside the U.S. can be high, as less than 40% of the world's countries use the vaccine.
In 2001 in Mississippi, there were six cases of mumps reported. All cases occurred in children under the age of seven. | | |
| AT A GLANCE |
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What it is: Mumps is a viral disease characterized by swelling of the cheeks, giving the appearance of a full mouth. |
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Transmission: You can get mumps by breathing in saliva droplets of an infected person who sneezes or coughs. Mumps also spreads by sharing utensils or cups with an infected person. |
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Symptoms: Symptoms normally appear within 12 to 15 days and include fever with swelling and tenderness of one or more of the salivary glands. This swelling, which causes the cheeks to puff out, is probably the most well-known symptom.
High fever, a stiff neck, headache, nausea, vomiting and drowsiness may also occur. Testicular swelling is another possible symptom. |
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Prevention: There is a mumps vaccine. See the CDC mumps information page for the recommended vaccination schedule. |
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Treatment: Since mumps is a virus, it cannot be treated with antibiotics. The disease normally runs its course within two weeks. | |
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| CONTACT |
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Find out more
You can also contact your local health office, or call our Health Info Hotline at 1-866-HLTHY4U (1-866-458-4948).
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