Mumps Symptoms

The Mumps symptoms would usually include the following:

A high fever of up to 103 degrees Fahrenheit (39.4 degrees Celsius), Headache, Loss of appetite, Swelling and pain in the parotid glands. These are the main tell-tale signs of the mumps symptoms.

The parotid glands produce saliva, and are located between the ear and jaw at the back of each cheek. When a person gets infected with mumps, these glands typically swell and become painful to touch. Over a period of 1 – 3 days the glands become more and more painful and swollen.  The pain gets worse when the sufferer swallows, talks, chews, or drinks acidic juices (such orange or pineapple juice).

Swelling of the parotid glands can be uneven.  Both the left and right parotid glands may be affected, with one side swelling a few days before the other, or only one side may swell. 
 
There are other mumps symptoms such as a stiff neck, headache, nausea and vomiting, drowsiness, and even convulsions can appear in the first week of the infection.

It is possible for mumps to cause inflammation and swelling of the brain and other organs, such as the pancreas. This however is not very common. Encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) and meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord) are both rare complications of mumps.

The adolescent and adult male may also see a development of orchitis. This is a painful inflammation of the testicles that can, in very rare situations, lead to sterility. After 3 to 7 days, the testicular pain, fever, and swelling usually subside.

It is possible in some females for their ovaries to be affected by mumps. This therefore causes pain and tenderness in parts of the abdomen.

There are some cases where the signs and symptoms of mumps can be so mild that no one suspects a mumps infection.  It is believed that about one in three people may have a mumps infection without symptoms.

Mumps Diagnosis

One-fifth of infected people do not have any mumps symptoms. These people are not even aware that they have the disease when they become infected.

Mumps is usually diagnosed by noticing the swelling of the salivary glands in either or both cheeks (the parotid glands).  Various laboratory tests may help with the diagnosis, but they are usually unnecessary.

In some cases, if your doctor suspects that you or your child has mumps, a virus culture or serologic blood test may be needed.  This blood test can detect mumps antibodies, which indicate whether you have had a recent or past infection of the disease.

If you suspect that you or your child has mumps or notice the mumps symptoms, contact your doctor as soon as possible to avoid the risk of developing complications or spreading the mumps