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Mumps |
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Mumps
Mumps is a viral infection primarily of your parotid glands - one of three pairs of salivary glands. Your parotid glands, which secrete saliva, are located below and in front of your ears. In about two-thirds of mumps cases, both parotid glands are affected. The disease spreads when someone with mumps sneezes, coughs or talks, and you inhale the infected droplets. Signs and symptoms About one-third of people infected with the mumps virus have no signs or symptoms. When signs and symptoms do develop, they usually appear about two to three weeks after exposure to the virus and may include:
The primary — and best known — sign of mumps is swollen salivary glands that cause the cheeks to puff out. In fact, the term mumps is an old expression for lumps or bumps within the cheeks. Causes The cause of mumps is the mumps virus, which spreads easily from person to person through infected saliva. If you're not immune, you can contract mumps by breathing in saliva droplets of an infected person who has just sneezed or coughed. You can also contract mumps from sharing utensils or cups with someone who has mumps. When to seek medical advice If you suspect that you or your child has mumps, see your doctor. Mumps has become an uncommon illness, so it's possible that your symptoms are caused by another more common condition. Swollen glands and a fever could be an indication of inflamed tonsils (tonsillitis) or a blocked salivary gland. Other, rarer viruses can infect the parotid glands, causing a mumps-like illness. Screening and diagnosis If your doctor suspects that you or your child has mumps, a virus culture or serologic blood test may be needed. This blood test can detect mumps antibodies, which indicate whether you have had a recent or past infection.
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