How To Treat the Mumps

With the advent of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR) there has been a drastic decrease in cases of the mumps.  Since cases of the mumps have gone from tens of thousands of cases each year down to only a few hundred the disease is now thought of as a rarity here in the US.   But, it’s important to recognize when a child or adult does get infected with the mumps it can have very serious consequences.

The mumps virus is very contagious and can be spread by coughing, sneezing and by other contact with respiratory fluids.

The virus infects the parotid glands which are right around the jaw bone and in front of the ear.  The incubation period is around 21 days and the disease is usually gone in about a week to ten days.  Since the mumps is a virus there is no antibiotic that will treat mumps and make it go away faster.

People usually recognize the characteristic swelling of the jaws which usually starts in one jaw and spreads to the other.  Along with that there is usually a fever.  Some people also have headache, a stiff neck, and swelling of the testicles in boys, swelling of the ovaries in girls and vomiting. Although complications are rare, it is important to monitor the infected person carefully and also make them as comfortable as possible. Some of the most serious complications of the mumps are meningitis, sterility and hearing loss.

If someone you know is not vaccinated and does come down with the mumps, there are things you can do to treat him and make him more comfortable.

1. First make sure you’re in touch with your doctor.  He or she can give you valuable advice on treating the mumps.
2. Make sure you do not give the person anything that is tangy or contains citric acid.  The reason for this that the substance can irritate the already swollen salivary glands.
3. Do make sure the person has plenty of other bland fluids.
4. Give them soft foods that are easy to digest and are not spicy or tangy.
5. Use warm compresses to treat swollen areas.
6. Give them a mild pain reliever, but make sure it’s not aspirin because it could cause Reyes Syndrome in children and teenagers.