Brain. Viral infections such as mumps can lead to
inflammation of the brain (encephalitis)
. Encephalitis can cause neurological problems and become life-threatening. Membranes and fluid around the brain and spinal cord.
Is mumps a virus or disease?
Mumps is a contagious disease that is
caused by a virus
. It typically starts with a few days of fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, and loss of appetite.
What can mumps lead to?
Mumps usually passes without causing serious damage to a person’s health. Serious complications are rare. But mumps can lead to
viral meningitis
if the virus moves into the outer layer of the brain. Other complications include swelling of the testicles or ovaries (if the affected person has gone through puberty).
What are the long term effects of mumps?
Complications of mumps include orchitis, aseptic meningitis, oophoritis, pancreatitis, and encephalitis (2–4). Long-term complications include
unilateral sensorineural deafness in children
(5). To date, reported data on mumps complications are based on studies conducted mainly during the prevaccine era.
What is the mumps virus called?
Mumps is caused by the mumps virus, which belongs to a family of viruses known as
paramyxoviruses
. These viruses are a common source of infection, particularly in children.
What are the stages of mumps?
The
prodromal phase
typically has non-specific, mild symptoms such as a low-grade fever, headache, malaise, muscle pain, loss of appetite, and sore throat. In the early acute phase, as the mumps virus spreads throughout the body, systemic symptoms emerge. Most commonly, parotitis occurs during this time period.
What happens if mumps left untreated?
Mumps may lead to
meningitis or encephalitis
, two potentially fatal conditions if left untreated. Meningitis is swelling of the membranes around your spinal cord and brain. Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain.
Who is most at risk for mumps?
The disease is most common in
children
— about 90 percent of all mumps infections occur in children 15 and younger. However, it’s becoming increasingly common for older teens and adults to get the mumps if they weren’t vaccinated as children.
How many times can you get mumps?
Can someone get mumps
more than once
? People who have had mumps are usually protected for life against another mumps infection. However, second occurrences of mumps do rarely occur.
How long is mumps contagious for?
A: When you have mumps, you should avoid contact with other people until
five days after
your salivary glands begin to swell because you are contagious during this time. You should not go to work, school, or any social events.
Can mumps cause problems later in life?
Mumps can occasionally cause complications, especially in adults. Complications can include:
inflammation of the testicles
(orchitis); this may lead to a decrease in testicular size (testicular atrophy)
How do u know if u have mumps?
The primary sign of mumps is
swollen salivary glands that cause the cheeks to puff out
. Other signs and symptoms may include: Pain in the swollen salivary glands on one or both sides of your face. Pain while chewing or swallowing.
Can mumps affect your eyes?
Ocular manifestations in mumps are
rare
but well recognized. Various parts of the ocular apparatus may be involved, such as dacroadenitis, optic neuritis, keratitis, iritis, conjunctivitis, and episcleritis.
How do doctors treat mumps?
There are currently no medications to treat
the mumps virus. The infection usually passes within a week or two.
Why is mumps so painful?
The parotid glands are a pair of glands responsible for producing saliva. They’re located in either side of your face, just below your ears. Both glands are usually affected by the swelling, although sometimes only one gland is affected.
The swelling can cause pain, tenderness and difficulty with swallowing
.
When should I see a doctor for mumps?
If your child has mumps, watch for complications. Call your doctor if your child develops:
Fever of 103 F (39 C) or greater
.
Trouble eating or drinking
.
