Mumps

 Mumps

It is an infection caused by the mumps virus.

Symptoms of mumps

The most common symptoms are fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness andloss of appetite followed by onset of parotitis (swollen and tender salivary glands under the ears -- on one or both sides).

 Symptoms

Symptoms typically appear 16-18 days after infection, but this period can range from 12-25 after infection.

 Mumps spread

Mumps is spread by mucus or droplets from the nose or throat of an infected person, usually when a person coughs or sneezes. Surfaces of items (e.g. toys) can also spread the virus if someone who is sick touches them without washing their hands, and someone else then touches the same surface and then rubs their eyes, mouth, nose etc. (this is called fomite transmission).

 Treatment 

There is no specific treatment. Supportive care should be given as needed. If someone becomes very ill, they should seek medical attention. If someone seeks medical attention, they should call their doctor in advance so that they don't have to sit in the waiting room for a long time and possibly infect other patients.