Overview

Mumps is a viral illness that causes painful swelling of the parotid glands, which are salivary glands between the ear and the jaw. Mumps can sometimes spread to the testicles, ovaries, or pancreas, or to the membrane that surrounds the brain and spinal cord.

Mumps is usually not a serious illness. It can be passed from one person to another when a person who has the mumps virus coughs or sneezes. You also can get it by touching people who have mumps or items that have the virus on them. A vaccine can prevent mumps. Most cases of mumps today occur in people who were never vaccinated.

Mumps goes away on its own. Home care can help you feel better while getting over mumps. Talk with your doctor about follow-up care.

How can you care for yourself at home?

• Use an over-the-counter pain medicine if needed, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve). Read and follow all instructions on the label. Do not give aspirin to anyone younger than 18. It has been linked to Reye syndrome, a serious illness.
• Do not take two or more pain medicines at the same time unless the doctor told you to. Many pain medicines have acetaminophen, which is Tylenol. Too much acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be harmful.
• Adults with mumps should stay home until 5 days after the swelling began.
• Put an ice or heat pack (whichever feels better) on the swollen jaw for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. Put a thin cloth between the ice or heat pack and the skin.
• Suck on ice chips or frozen ice treats. Eat soft foods that do not have to be chewed much.
• Do not eat sour foods or liquids. The salivary glands are very sore during mumps. Eating these foods will usually cause them to hurt more.