Do I Have Mumps?

Did you skip to get vaccine against mumps for any reason?

Do you have a fever?

Do you have a headache?

Do you have a poor appetite?

Are you generally not feeling well?

Do you have an earache or face pain?

Does your pain get worse when you chew?

Does your pain get worse with eating food that cause an increase in saliva production, such as sour food?

Do you have a swelling of one of the saliva glands located on the one side of the face, near the outside of the ear (it may make the entire cheek appear swollen)?

Do you have pain in the swollen salivary glands on one or both sides of your face?

Based on your answers it is unlikely that you have mumps. Mumps is a contagious disease caused by a virus called the paramyxovirus. Mumps is characterized by swelling of the salivary glands located under the ears. It is often described as a disease with puffy cheeks and a tender, swollen jaw. The best way to reduce your risk of mumps is to get vaccinated with the MMR vaccine. This combination vaccine is highly effective and protects you against three diseases: measles, mumps, and rubella. Mumps is rare in the US, but mumps outbreaks continue to occur especially in environments where people have close, prolonged contacts (universities, close communities).

Based on your answers there is a possibility that you have mumps. Mumps is a contagious viral infection. It is spread from one person to another through infected droplets in the air that are expelled by coughing, sneezing or talking, or by direct contact with the saliva of an infected person. A person infected with mumps is contagious a few days before and up to five days after the swelling of the salivary glands appears. Mumps is more common in late winter and spring, and among children older than 3 years and adults younger than 40 years. Diagnosing mumps is based on your symptoms and blood tests.

Based on your answers there is a high possibility that you have mumps. Mumps is a very contagious infection caused by a virus. The disease is recognizable by the painful swelling of the salivary glands, which gives your face a specific "hamster face" look. It usually takes 2 to 3 weeks from exposure to the onset of the symptoms. In most cases, mumps is a mild disease, but in some adults mumps can cause serious complications such as meningitis, pancreatitis, inflammation of testicles in man and ovaries in women. Treatment usually includes painkillers, increased fluid intake, rest and isolation from other people living in your home.