Mumps is a viral infection spread by respiratory droplets that typically causes painful swelling of the parotid salivary glands. The MMR vaccine prevents most cases, but outbreaks still happen in close-contact settings like college campuses.
Key symptoms
- Swelling and pain in front of the ear and along the jaw
- Pain when chewing or eating sour foods
- Fever, headache, muscle aches and fatigue
- Painful, swollen testicle after puberty
- Headache and stiff neck in some patients
What you find on exam
- Tender parotid swelling that hides the angle of the jaw, on one or both sides
- Redness at the opening of the parotid duct inside the cheek
- Testicular exam for swelling and tenderness
- Check for meningeal signs and hearing loss
Tests
- Buccal swab PCR, ideally after massaging the parotid gland
- Mumps IgM serology
- Amylase may be high; check lipase if abdominal pain
- Report suspected cases to public health
Treatment basics
- Supportive care: rest, fluids, soft food
- Acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain and fever
- Scrotal support and cold packs for orchitis
- Droplet precautions for 5 days after swelling begins
- Check and update MMR vaccination in contacts
Red flags
- Severe headache, stiff neck or confusion
- Severe abdominal pain with vomiting
- Sudden hearing loss
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Related guides
Sources: NCCPA PANCE Content Blueprint; NBOME COMLEX-USA clinical presentations; CDC, Guideline for Isolation Precautions (2007) and PPE sequence. Written by Making Synapses. Making Synapses is not affiliated with these organizations.