Mumps is a viral disease that causes painful, swelling of the salivary glands under the jaw. Mumps can be very serious, especially for teenagers and adults. Permanent hearing loss can occur. More serious cases may result in inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. Mumps may cause swelling of the male and female sex organs (testicles and ovaries). The disease spreads when germs pass in the air from an infected person's coughing to the nose or throat of others. Up to 13,000 cases of mumps have been reported each year. More than 85 percent of the cases develop before the age of 15 and most occur between the ages of 6 and 10 years.

The infected child is contagious a few days before the swelling begins and until the swelling is gone. The swelling lasts at least ten days after the first sign of inflammation. The symptoms usually disappear within 10 to 14 days and include the following:
* swelling of the glands along the side of one or both cheeks,
* nausea and occasional vomiting,
* headache and fever between 101 and 104 degrees F.,
* loss of appetite, and
* stiff neck.

Treatment is focused on relieving the child's discomfort. It includes:
* Make sure the child gets lots of rest and drinks plenty of fluids.
* Keep a glass of water or non-citrus juice next to the child.
* Give acetaminophen to control fever.
* Apply a warm or cold compress to the swollen gland for relief of pain.
* Feed soft foods that are easy to chew and swallow. Citrus fruits and drinks may sting the mouth.
* Keep the child away from anyone not immune to the illness.
* Call your pediatrician if the child's symptoms worsen with complications like severe abdominal pain, extreme listlessness, or painful testes.

Immunity against mumps comes with immunization or having had the disease. Children should receive the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) shot between 12 to 15 months of age. A second one is necessary between 4 to 6 years of age or before middle school or junior high. Children or adults who have not had mumps or been vaccinated should contact their healthcare provider.

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