Mumps is a contagious viral infection caused by the paramyxovirus. It spreads easily through respiratory droplets, such as nasal secretions or saliva, when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or shares utensils.
The virus primarily targets the salivary glands, especially the parotid glands near the ears. A hallmark symptom of mumps is the painful swelling of these glands, leading to puffy cheeks and a tender, sensitive jaw. Other common symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, and loss of appetite.
Mumps is a self-resolving illness that simply runs its course. There is no specific treatment for mumps, and care mainly involves managing symptoms through rest, fluids, and pain relievers.
While most cases are mild, mumps can sometimes cause serious complications. These include inflammation of the testicles (orchitis) in males, which can lead to infertility, inflammation of the ovaries (oophoritis) or breasts (mastitis) in females, meningitis, encephalitis, and hearing loss. Complications are more common in adults than in children.
The MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine is the most effective prevention method and is considered safe and highly effective.
