Mumps is a viral infection best known for causing “hamster cheeks.” It’s now uncommon where MMR vaccination rates are high, but outbreaks still happen, especially among teenagers and young adults in schools and universities.
Imagine a student in their first term at university developing a headache and fever, then painful swelling below both ears that makes chewing agony. Several friends in the same halls have it too. Checking their vaccination record, they discover they only had one MMR dose as a child.
Symptoms
- Painful swelling of the parotid glands at the side of the face, one or both sides
- Fever, headache, tiredness and aches
- Pain when chewing or swallowing
- Some people have mild or no symptoms
Treatment and isolation
There’s no specific treatment. Rest, fluids, painkillers and soft foods help, along with warm or cold compresses on the swollen glands. Mumps spreads through coughs, sneezes and saliva. People are usually advised to stay away from school or work for five days after the swelling starts.
But what complications should you watch for?
Complications are more common after puberty and include painful swelling of the testicles (orchitis) or ovaries, meningitis, pancreatitis and, rarely, hearing loss. Get urgent help for severe headache with a stiff neck, sensitivity to light, drowsiness, seizures, severe tummy pain or painful testicular swelling.
Two doses of MMR vaccine give good protection. If you’re not sure you’ve had both, it’s never too late to catch up.
Your next step: Check your own and your children’s vaccination records for two MMR doses, especially before university or starting work in healthcare.
Sources: World Health Organization (Mumps), US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Mumps), NHS (Mumps). This guide is for general information and does not replace advice from your own nurse, doctor or pharmacist.
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