General Information About Mumps
Disease Details and Frequently Asked Questions
It is a contagious disease where the parotid salivary glands, located just in front of and below the ears, become inflamed and swell massively due to a viral infection.
It is transmitted directly through droplets spread into the air when a sick person coughs, sneezes, or talks, or by the shared use of items like forks or glasses (saliva contact).
After the incubation period, it begins with fever, headache, and fatigue. Within 1-2 days, painful and soft swellings appear on one or both sides of the jaw, making swallowing and chewing very difficult.
If the disease occurs after puberty rather than during childhood, the virus can also affect and inflame the testicles (orchitis). This condition can cause severe pain and swelling in the testicles, and in the advanced stage, impair sperm quality leading to infertility.
The characteristic swelling in the salivary glands is usually sufficient for a physician to make a clinical diagnosis. When necessary, antibody (IgM/IgG) tests in the blood can be done to confirm the diagnosis.
Since it is a viral disease, antibiotics do not work and there is no specific cure. The patient is given painkillers and advised to stay away from acidic foods (to avoid straining the salivary glands). The only way to prevent it is the Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) vaccine.
Our health library contents are prepared for informational purposes only and with scientific data available at the time of recording. For all your questions, concerns, diagnosis, or treatment regarding your health, please consult your doctor or a healthcare institution.
