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Mumps

Parotitis epidemica · Příušnice

What it is

A paramyxovirus swells the salivary glands; in adults it can inflame the testes, ovaries, pancreas or meninges.

Symptoms & signs

  • Swollen, tender cheeks and jaw (parotitis)
  • fever
  • headache
  • pain on chewing
  • painful swollen testicle in men
  • tiredness

🚩 Get help if…

  • call 112 / 911 now Severe headache, stiff neck, confusion or a seizure
  • call 112 / 911 now Severe upper belly pain with vomiting
  • see a doctor soon Painful swollen testicle or lower belly pain
  • see a doctor soon Hearing loss or ringing in one ear

Where it strikes

Medical treatment

  • MMR vaccine, two doses — about 88% protection against mumps; fever fits in about 1 in 3 000 and low platelets in about 1 in 30 000 doses
  • rest, fluids and paracetamol or ibuprofen
  • scrotal support and ice for orchitis
  • isolation for 5 days after the swelling starts

Natural & lifestyle

  • Soft food and fluids — avoid sour drinks that stimulate saliva
  • warm or cold compresses on the glands
  • rest

Emerging & experimental

  • Updated genotype-G vaccines for outbreaks
  • a third MMR dose in outbreaks

Alternative, off-label & anecdotal

Approaches used outside the guidelines, with what their supporters report and what testing has found so far.

  • Vitamin A in viral childhood infections — proven in measles; untested in mumps anecdotal / traditional
  • Elderberry and echinacea — a general antiviral reputation; not studied in mumps anecdotal / traditional
  • Homeopathic 'nosodes' instead of vaccination — a small 2018 trial found no antibody response not confirmed in trials

ICD codes