Mumps

Chubby cheeks, fever, and pain when chewing and swallowing: these are typical signs that your child might be infected with mumps. Although the mumps symptoms can be quite uncomfortable, the viral infection usually progresses without problems in babies and young children. You will find out in this article which other symptoms indicate mumps, what the course of the illness looks like, and how you can protect your child from it.

How do you get mumps?

Mumps (medical) Epidemic parotitis ) is widespread worldwide. Although adults can also become infected, mumps most commonly occurs between the ages of four and fifteen. Boys are affected more often than girls. The viral illness is usually transmitted via a Droplet infection , for example through coughing or sneezing, transmitted. The highly contagious virus is inhaled along with the droplets and settles on the mucous membranes in the throat and pharynx and on the lymph nodes. There, it multiplies and eventually enters the bloodstream.

What are the symptoms of mumps?

If your child has contracted mumps, it can take up to two weeks for the first symptoms to appear. Fever , cough and headaches initially cause a Flu suspect. One or two days later, usually only then does one become inflamed Salivary gland , another one to three days later also the other. The Inflammation can be very painful and cause the typical chubby "hamster cheeks" and protruding earlobes in your little explorer. However, it is also possible that these symptoms characteristic of mumps appear only in a mild form or not at all: Especially in younger children under five years old, only a few or nonspecific symptoms often appear. In such cases, the disease may be mistaken for a harmless infection or not detected at all.

In some cases, the parotid gland, as well as the submandibular and sublingual glands, become inflamed. These are responsible for saliva production, which makes food slippery. When the glands become inflamed, they are Sore throat and Pain when chewing, swallowing, speaking, and moving the head the course. Even if these symptoms are probably extremely uncomfortable for your little patient: In childhood, mumps are usually harmless and are generally over three to eight days after the first symptoms appear. Once you have had mumps, you are immune to it for life.

What complications can occur with a mumps infection?

In 50 to 70 percent of cases, mumps infection leads to complications, with the likelihood increasing significantly with age. The mumps virus can reach the central nervous system via the bloodstream or the lymph nodes and Inflammations of other glands and organs cause. A not uncommon complication of mumps is therefore meningitis, also known as Mumps Meningitis known. In most cases, however, it proceeds largely unnoticed and is only symptomatic in five percent of cases. Signs of meningitis can include headaches, neck stiffness, and vomiting.

Additionally, a painful middle ear infection can occur, which due to an inflammation of the auditory nerve, can lead to temporary or permanent Hearing damage can. After recovering from illness, it is therefore highly recommended to have a hearing test performed on your child.

In male patients, the mumps virus can cause a painful inflammation of the testes ( Mumps Orchitis ) cause. Here too, the probability increases with age: After puberty, up to 30 percent of men are affected. There is a risk that the sperm-producing cells may permanently regress, which can lead to infertility in the worst case. In girls and women, mumps can cause inflammation of the ovaries, but this complication occurs much less frequently. In the case of infection during early pregnancy, however, it can lead to a Miscarriage lead.

How can mumps be treated?

If you suspect that your child might have mumps, you should immediately contact your pediatrician . He/she is obliged to report the suspicion of a Report mumps to the health department and can clearly determine whether your little explorer has actually contracted the virus. If your child's cheeks swell due to the mumps virus, the diagnosis is usually obvious. If the salivary gland does not become inflamed in him, a test for specific antibodies in the blood can help to make a definitive diagnosis.

A direct treatment is not possible for mumps, but you can do quite a bit to help the Symptoms Your child's to to hinder . Bed rest contributes to his recovery and thus aids in healing; cool neck compresses have a pain-relieving effect. Soft foods like soup do not need to be chewed and are therefore easier to eat. Also, make sure your child drinks enough to compensate for fluid loss due to fever. In case of high fever or severe pain, administering antipyretic medication may be advisable – but be sure to consult your pediatrician about this. Even if the symptoms do not decrease after a few days or if, in addition to the typical sore throat, pain occurs in other areas, you should contact your pediatrician again.

Due to the high risk of infection, visits to daycare centers, kindergartens, and similar facilities are only permitted again after the symptoms have subsided, but no earlier than five days after their onset.

The MMR vaccination: How long does the mumps vaccine last?

Newborns are protected against mumps by the so-called nest protection for up to six months after birth. After that, the MMR vaccination against mumps, measles, and rubella immunity against the disease. The combination vaccine is administered in two doses. Your child will receive the first vaccination between the 11th and 14th month of life, and the second at the earliest four weeks later, between the 15th and 23rd month of life. The vaccination is recommended until the second birthday. Also, unvaccinated adults who have not previously had mumps are advised to catch up on immunization, as the course of the disease becomes more severe with increasing age. Mumps is contagious already one week before the first symptoms appear. Persons who are not (sufficiently) vaccinated or not immune through the disease can catch up on the vaccination within three days after contact with an infected person to possibly prevent infection.

The vaccination is well tolerated and, when completed fully, generally provides lifetime immunity . As side effects, body’s immune responses such as redness or swelling around the injection site may occur. Since it involves the MMR vaccine Since it is a live vaccine, it can also, in one to two percent of cases, trigger a severely weakened form of mumps. This can lead to mild symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, fever, or swelling of the salivary glands. However, this happens very rarely, and the reactions usually subside within a few days. By the time of the preventive check-up U6, your pediatrician will inform you about the MMR vaccination and answer all your questions regarding the procedure or possible side effects.

In Germany, approximately 700 mumps cases are reported annually. Since humans are the only hosts for the mumps virus, it could be completely eradicated through consistent vaccination. Even though most young children tolerate mumps well, your little explorer with the MMR vaccine not only avoids the unpleasant side effects of mumps but is also protected against and rubella. We hope your child remains free from mumps and wish them a speedy recovery if they do catch the virus!