Maine Bureau of Health s4

Mumps Fact Sheet

What is mumps? How soon do symptoms appear? Mumps is a disease that is caused by the Symptoms typically appear 16-18 days after mumps virus. infection, but this period can range from 12-25 days after infection. How is mumps spread? Mumps is spread by mucus or droplets from Who can get mumps? the nose or throat of an infected Anyone who has not either had previous person, usually when a person mumps infection or been coughs or sneezes. Surfaces of vaccinated can get mumps. items (e.g., toys) can also spread Mumps used to be a common the virus if someone who is sick illness in infants, children and touches them without washing their young adults. Now, because most hands, and someone else then people have been vaccinated, touches the same surface and then mumps is a rare disease in the rubs their eyes, mouth, or nose. United States. Of those people who do get mumps, up to half have What are the symptoms of mumps? very mild, or no symptoms, and The most common symptoms are fever, therefore many do not know they headache, muscle aches, tiredness had mumps. and loss of appetite followed by onset of swollen and tender glands Are there complications of mumps? under the ears, on one or both The most common complication is redness sides (parotitis). and swelling of the testicles in males who have reached puberty. Fortunately, this rarely leads to fertility problems. Other rare complications include:  Inflammation of the brain and/or tissue covering the brain and spinal cord

 Inflammation of the ovaries and/or breasts in females who have reached puberty

 Pregnancy loss, particularly in early pregnancy

 Hearing loss, usually permanent

Created on 18:45 Source of Information: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/groupastreptococcal_g.htm (accessed 7/3/07) How long is an infected person able to How do I protect myself and my family? spread the disease? Vaccine (usually referred to as MMR since Mumps virus has been found in respiratory mumps vaccine is given with secretions from 7 days before until measles and rubella vaccines) is 9 days after the onset of the best way to prevent mumps. symptoms. Usually the patient is Other things people can do to most infectious within the first 5 prevent mumps and other days. Therefore, mumps patients infections is to wash hands well should be isolated for 5 days after and often with soap and water, and glands swelling starts. to teach children to wash their hands too. Eating utensils should What is the treatment for mumps? not be shared, and surfaces that There is no specific treatment. Supportive are frequently touched (toys, care should be given as needed. If doorknobs, tables, counters, etc) someone becomes very ill, they should also be cleaned often with should seek medical attention and soap and water, or with cleaning should call their doctor in advance wipes. so that they don't have to sit in the waiting room for a long time and Where can I get more information? possibly infect other patients. You can contact the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention by calling 1- 800-821-5821 or check the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website - http://www.cdc.gov.

Created on 18:45 Source of Information: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/groupastreptococcal_g.htm (accessed 7/3/07)