Clinical Reference Systems: Pediatric Advisor 10.0
Spanish version

DESCRIPTION

• swollen parotid gland in front of the ear and crossing the corner of the jaw (both parotid glands are swollen in 70% of children)
• tenderness of the swollen gland
• increased pain when a child chews
• fever over 100ƒF (37.8ƒC)
• no prior mumps vaccine (as part of the MMR immunization received at the age of 12 to 15 months)
• exposure to another child with mumps 16 to 18 days earlier.

CAUSE

Mumps is an acute viral infection of the parotid, a gland which produces saliva and is located in front of and below each ear.

EXPECTED COURSE

The fever is usually gone in 3 to 4 days. The swelling and pain are cleared in 7 days.

HOME CARE

1. Pain and fever relief

   Give acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Cold compresses applied to the swollen area may also relieve pain.

2. Diet
   • Avoid sour foods or citrus fruits that increase saliva production and parotid swelling.
   • Avoid foods that require lots of chewing.
   • Consider a liquid diet if chewing is very painful.

3. Contagiousness

   The disease is contagious until the swelling is gone (usually 6 or 7 days). Your child should be kept out of school and away from other children who have not had mumps or mumps vaccine.

4. Mumps exposure

   Mumps exposure is important if a person has never received the mumps vaccine nor had mumps, but only 10% of adults who have no record of mumps are really susceptible. Adults who as children lived in the same household with siblings who had mumps can be considered protected. Those who are not protected should call their physician during office hours to see if the mumps vaccine would be helpful:

   • Children: All should receive the mumps vaccine.
   • Adolescent or adult males: The mumps vaccine is optional. The risk of testicular infection (orchitis) is 2.5%.
   • Adult females : The mumps vaccine is unnecessary. No serious complications occur.

CALL YOUR CHILD'S PHYSICIAN IMMEDIATELY IF:

• Your child develops a stiff neck or severe headache.
• Your child vomits repeatedly.
• Your child starts acting very sick.

CALL YOUR CHILD'S PHYSICIAN DURING OFFICE HOURS IF:

• The swelling lasts more than 7 days.
• The fever lasts more than 4 days.
• The skin over the mumps gland becomes reddened.
• Your child is an adolescent male and his testicle becomes painful.
• You have other concerns or questions.