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Mumps 101
Mumps is in the news with cases reported among NHL hockey players.
In recent years there have been outbreaks in many parts of the world. In Canada, there have been outbreaks in 1997 into 2008, mostly among young adults, ages of 20 to 30.
What is it? How does it spread?
Mumps is a viral infection of the salivary glands. The virus is found in saliva and respiratory droplets and is spread through coughing, sneezing or coming into contact with a person’s saliva, for example, sharing water bottles, or food.
Symptoms & transmission
Symptoms start 12 to 25 days after exposure, and include swelling and pain in one or more salivary glands fever, headache, muscle aches and pains, fatigue and loss of appetite. A person is most likely to spread the virus in the 1 to 2 days before, and up to 5 days after his or her salivary glands begin to swell.
How to prevent
Two different vaccines can prevent mumps (only works before exposure): MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) and MMRV (measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox also known as varicella) vaccines.
What to do if you are sick
A person with mumps or suspected of having mumps should not do group activities or have visitors for 5 days after the salivary gland swelling, or until a diagnosis of mumps is ruled out. If a person has had the mumps, they cannot get it again.
Get lots of rest
There is no treatment for mumps (antibiotics are not effective against a virus), but some medications can help relieve symptoms.
Sources:
Toronto.ca/health – Toronto Public Health
cfp.ca – “Mumps: resurgence of a vanquished virus”
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