Cases of mumps continue to rise at Indiana University. Just what are the mumps, how do mumps symptoms differ from the measles, and should y'all be concerned?

What Are Symptoms Of The Mumps?

Afterwards you are exposed to the mumps virus, it may accept two to three weeks for mumps symptoms to show. Most people with mumps take fever, headache, muscle aches, and decreased appetite. Ordinarily these symptoms terminal 7 to 10 days.

Other symptoms of the mumps include:

  • Discomfort, swelling and/or tenderness in the glands in the forepart of the neck or in front of the ears
  • Problems chewing
  • Pain and tenderness of the testicles
  • Tiredness

Interestingly, 20% of people with mumps have no symptoms at all.

Mumps can be serious, but virtually people with mumps recover completely within two weeks.

Is It Mumps Or Measles?

Mumps and measles are two illnesses caused past viruses and are covered past the MMR vaccine. They can lead to serious complications. Both mumps and measles take largely been eradicated in the U.S., though outbreaks tin occur.

Both measles and mumps may crusade fever, but that is where the similarities end. Measles will develop symptoms such as cold-like symptoms and a rash, while mumps symptoms can include aches, decreased ambition and discomfort in the glands in forepart of the ears or neck.

What Are Complications Of Mumps?

Mumps typically occurs in babyhood, but complications of mumps happen more than often amid adults than children. Complications of mumps may include:

  • Meningitis or encephalitis -Inflammation of the membrane that covers the brain and spinal cord or inflammation of the brain. This tin atomic number 82 to major problems, such as seizures, stroke or expiry.
  • Orchitis -Inflammation of i or both testicles. This occurs in about 50% of men. Orchitis can lower a man'southward ability to make sperm and in rare cases tin can crusade sterility.
  • Mastitis -Inflammation of breast tissue.
  • Parotitis -Inflammation of one or both glands in front of the ears.
  • Oophoritis -Inflammation of ane or both ovaries. This occurs in about 5% of women and in rare cases, can get in hard for a woman to go pregnant.
  • Pancreatitis -Inflammation of the pancreas.
  • Deafness

Are Mumps Contagious?

A person with mumps is contagious from iii days before the start of symptoms to 9 days after the start of symptoms.

Mumps  and is spread by droplets of saliva and mucus. The virus can spread during close contact when a person with mumps coughs, sneezes, or fifty-fifty talks. Mumps also can be spread by kissing or sharing eating utensils.

The gamble of getting mumps from someone who has mumps depends on how long the contact lasted and how close the contact was.

What If I Was Exposed To The Mumps?

Yous may have been exposed to mumps if:

  • You live in the same household (home, apartment, dorm room) every bit a person diagnosed with mumps.
  • Yous have had close contact with a person diagnosed with mumps. Examples of such shut contact include, kissing or hugging, sharing eating or drinking utensils, close conversation, and direct contact with respiratory secretions or saliva of a person with mumps.

How Is Mumps Treated?

Your healthcare provider will ask near your past health and practise a physical exam before diagnosing you with mumps. Y'all may also need tests done on saliva, blood or urine to confirm the diagnosis.

Since mumps is acquired by a virus, antibiotics cannot cure or care for mumps. Most treatment is geared toward alleviating symptoms, frequently including plenty of fluids. Bed residual, a soft diet (to reduce pain when chewing) and pain reliever for headaches and muscle aches are often recommended.

Experts advise adults stay home from work for 5 days after glands brainstorm to swell. Children should stay out of school until symptoms have lessened.

Can I Be Vaccinated For The Mumps?

Yep, vaccinations for mumps are part of the MMR vaccine, which also protects confronting measles and rubella. Usually, the first dose of the MMR vaccine is given when a child is 12 to 15 months old. A second dose is given at four to half-dozen years of age. But if 28 days take passed since the first dose was given, a second dose may exist given earlier the age of 4.

If you lot never received the MMR vaccine, now is the correct time to become two doses of the vaccine. You should get the second dose ane month subsequently the outset dose. If y'all have just received 1 dose of the MMR vaccine, it is a good thought to get a second dose.

If y'all have received 2 doses of the MMR vaccine, you can become a third dose, which is referred to every bit a booster dose, to help protect you. Oftentimes this is for people who accept had close contact (such as sharing living quarters) with someone who has mumps. Talk with your healthcare provider to see if this is a good fit for you.

Nigh people born earlier 1957 had mumps when they were children and are now immune to mumps.

In addition to getting the MMR vaccine, go along to avert people who are sick, wash your easily regularly with lather and water; and avoid sharing drinks, nutrient  and utensils.

What If There Is A Mumps Outbreak Virtually Me?

According to the CDC, the best things yous can practice during a mumps outbreak are:

  • Make certain you and your family are up-to-date on the MMR vaccine.
  • Let your physician know if y'all call up you or a family member may have mumps.
  • Launder hands often with lather and water and disinfect surfaces.

Symptoms of mumps and how to prevent transmission of the mumps, from the CDC