Mumps Symptoms: Complications Diagnosis Treatment and More

Understanding Mumps: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options

Mumps is an infectious viral disease that mainly affects the salivary glands, causing soreness, swelling, and fever. On average, more than 5 lakh mumps cases are reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) annually.

Although mumps is usually associated with children, it can affect people of any age, including adults, teenagers, and infants. The mumps symptoms and treatment may differ depending on age, gender, and the severity of the disease.

Read on to learn more about the mumps signs and symptoms!

What is Mumps?

The mumps virus, which belongs to the Paramyxovirus family, is the primary cause of this disease. It is transmitted through respiratory secretions or by touching infected surfaces. This medical condition tends to affect primarily the parotid glands, the salivary glands close to the ears. Inflammation of these glands is one of the classic symptoms of the condition, although other areas of the body can also become infected.

Despite being characterized as mild overall, mumps can cause serious complications in adults. The vaccine for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) has reduced the incidence of mumps cases sharply. However, some outbreaks still occur due to reduced immunity levels, low vaccination rates and spread through close contact.

What are the Initial Symptoms of Mumps?

Mumps symptoms may be different based on the severity of the infection and the age of the patient. Nonetheless, the typical symptoms are usually present 14-25 days post-viral exposure. The mumps initial symptoms are described below:

● Mild Fever: There can be a mild fever in the initial stages.
● Headache and Fatigue: These usually present themselves prior to more apparent swelling of the glands.
● Loss of Appetite: As the infection takes hold, most individuals lose their appetite and feel lethargic.

As the disease progresses, parotid swelling becomes apparent, usually accompanied by more severe fever and discomfort. This is the characteristic of mumps, which makes it distinguishable from other viral infections.

Mumps Symptoms in Adults

Mumps in adults can be more severe than in children. Adults tend to experience greater discomfort and are at higher risk for complications, including orchitis (inflammation of the testicles) and oophoritis (inflammation of the ovaries). Symptoms of mumps in adults include:

Swollen Salivary Glands: This is the most characteristic symptom. Swelling typically appears on one or both sides of the face, closer to the ears and jaw, and causes tenderness and pain.
Fever: Sudden fever onset is typical, normally ranging from moderate to mild.
Headache and Muscle Aches: These general body pains are common and sometimes accompanied by exhaustion.
Fatigue: A feeling of being overly tired or very lethargic is typical.
Loss of Appetite: Due to pain and discomfort, many individuals with mumps lose their desire to eat.
Pain While Chewing or Swallowing: Swelling of the salivary glands can make chewing or swallowing food painful.

Mumps Symptoms in Males vs. Females

Here is a comparison of symptoms of mumps in adults, male and female:

Key Difference	Males	Females
Testicular Involvement (Orchitis)	Occurs in 20-30% of post-pubertal males, leading to testicular pain, swelling, and, in rare cases, infertility.	Not Applicable
Ovarian Involvement (Oophoritis)	Not Applicable	Oophoritis can occur, but it's typically less severe than orchitis in males.
Infertility Risk	High potential for testicular damage, which can lead to infertility (especially if bilateral).	Oophoritis rarely causes long-term fertility issues.
Complications	Potential for more severe testicular complications. It can also lead to meningitis or encephalitis.	More likely to experience complications like meningitis or encephalitis, but infertility risk is lower.

Mumps Symptoms in Teenagers, Children and Infants

The common mumps symptoms in children, infants and teenagers are:

Symptoms	Teenagers	Children	Infants
Fever	Common, can be high (up to 104°F or 40°C)	Often present, may be moderate to high	May have mild to moderate fever
Swelling of Parotid Glands	Most noticeable symptom	Can be significant, noticeable on both sides	Rare, but swelling can occur
Headache	Common, may be severe	Can be present, mild to moderate	Less common, if present, often mild
Fatigue	Often significant, affecting daily activities	Can be moderate to severe	Can be mild to moderate
Muscle Aches	Can occur, typically mild to moderate	Rare, but may occur	Rare
Loss of Appetite	Common, especially in early stages	Often occurs, moderate to severe	Mild or moderate
Dry Mouth	Often present due to swelling of glands	Can occur if swelling affects glands	Less common, may have difficulty feeding
Sore Throat	May accompany swelling of glands	Can occur, but less frequent	Rare
Ear Pain	May occur due to swelling near the ears	Can be mild to moderate	Rare, but may affect feeding
Abdominal Pain	Less common but can occur (especially if complications like orchitis occur)	May occur if complications develop	Rare, but may have some discomfort
Nausea/Vomiting	Can occur in severe cases or with complications	Less common	Rare
Difficulty Eating/Drinking	Common due to pain from swollen glands	Moderate to severe in some cases	Difficulty due to swollen glands or mouth discomfort
Complications	Orchitis (swelling of testes), meningitis, pancreatitis	Orchitis, meningitis, and deafness (in rare cases)	Rare complications such as meningitis

Mumps Symptoms in Vaccinated Adults

While the MMR vaccine is extremely effective in the prevention of mumps, there is still a chance for individuals who have been vaccinated to become infected. In such cases, though, symptoms of mumps in vaccinated adults tend to be less severe compared to unvaccinated individuals. Typical mumps symptoms after MMR vaccine can be as follows:

● Mild Salivary Gland Swelling: The swelling will be less severe and more regional.
● Low-Grade Fever: There may be a fever, but it is usually not as severe as in unvaccinated patients.
● Fatigue: As in other types of mumps, fatigue and lassitude are frequent symptoms.
● Mild Headache or Body Aches: Headaches and muscle aches can happen but are not usually as severe.
In vaccinated adults, the chances of complications are much less, and the process of recovery is faster.

What are the Complications of Mumps?

Here is a detailed overview of the complications that can arise from mumps in adults:

● Meningitis: Inflammation of the brain's surrounding membranes is a dangerous complication that results in severe headaches, stiff neck, and fever.
● Deafness: Mumps may result in temporary or permanent deafness in some people.
● Pancreatitis: Inflammation of the pancreas, which causes pain in the abdomen, nausea, and vomiting.

Mumps Virus Symptoms After MMR Vaccination

The MMR vaccine is very effective against mumps, but in a few instances, even vaccinated people can get mild symptoms of the disease. This is referred to as breakthrough mumps and most often happens in those who have had only one dose or are losing immunity with time.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Mumps

Mumps is normally diagnosed based on its presentation, i.e., swollen salivary glands, fever, and tiredness. Blood tests, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing and serological tests, confirm the presence of the mumps virus.

There is no specific antiviral treatment for mumps. Thus, treatment focuses on relief from the symptoms. They include:

● Pain Relief: Acetaminophen or ibuprofen, available over the counter, can alleviate pain and fever.
● Hydration: Drinking lots of fluids is necessary to avoid dehydration.
● Rest: Resting adequately helps the body heal from the infection.
● Cold Compresses: A cold compress on affected areas can minimize inflammation and pain.

Hospitalization may be needed in severe situations or when complications develop.

Mumps is an infectious viral condition that presents different symptoms in various age groups. Early diagnosis of mumps symptoms is crucial to ensure proper care and minimize the risk of complications

The MMR vaccine remains the best defense against the disease, greatly reducing its occurrence. When you or someone you know exhibits symptoms of mumps, it is important to seek medical attention as early as possible to guarantee proper care and recovery.

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FAQs

What are the common symptoms of mumps?

Common symptoms of mumps are: <ul><li>Enlarged and painful salivary glands, causing puffy cheeks and a swollen jaw</li><li>Fever</li><li>Headache</li><li>Muscle aches</li><li>Fatigue</li><li>Loss of appetite</li></ul>

How long do symptoms take to appear after one has been exposed to the mumps virus?

Symptoms normally appear 16 to 18 days after infection but may range from 12 to 25 days.

Is mumps ever asymptomatic?

Yes, some people with mumps can have very mild symptoms or none at all and are unaware of the infection.

Are there any complications with mumps?

Although most people make a complete recovery, mumps can cause complications, particularly in adults. These can include: ●  Encephalitis or Meningitis (brain or surrounding tissue inflammation). ●  Orchitis (testicle inflammation) in men. ●  Oophoritis (ovary inflammation) in women. ●  Pancreatitis (pancreas inflammation).

How is mumps spread?

Mumps is spread through contact with an infected person's respiratory secretions, either saliva or mucus. It can also be spread by coughing, sneezing, or sharing eating utensils.