Mumps

Mumps is an infection that usually occurs in children. It affects the salivary glands but can also affect other parts of the body


	Symptoms
	swollen salivary glands (just below the ears) dry mouth difficulty swallowing fever stomach ache In some cases there may be no noticeable symptoms.

	Treatment
	If symptoms are mild, no treatment will be needed. Just make sure the child drinks plenty of fluids. If they have any fever or pain you can give them Paracetamol or Ibuprofen.

	Prevention
	Throughout the infection, the immune system will produce antibodies and by the time the virus has cleared, the body will be immune to contracting it again. It is possible to immunise your child with the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine.

	Seek medical advice
	Seek advice from your healthcare professional if... the symptoms do not clear up within 7-10 days your child is complaining of painful testicles (more common in boys over the age of 12) you are pregnant and you contract mumps

	Recommended web sites
	Mumps A factsheet from Medinfo about the mumps virus Mumps Information from the Department of Health MMR the Facts An NHS website giving information about the MMR vaccine