Mumps: Care Instructions

Mumps is a contagious viral infection 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 usually isn't a serious infection. It is spread when a person who has it coughs, sneezes, or shares food or drinks. The virus can travel through the air. This means that you can get mumps if you are in close contact with someone who has the virus even if they don't cough or sneeze on you. 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.

• Take an over-the-counter pain medicine, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve). Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label. Do not give aspirin to teens. It has been linked to Reye syndrome, a rare but 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.
• Anyone with mumps should stay home until 5 days after the salivary glands first start to swell.
• Put ice, a cold pack, or a heat pack (whichever feels better) on the swollen, painful areas for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. Put a thin cloth between the ice or heat pack and the skin.
• Drink plenty of fluids. Suck on ice chips or flavored ice pops. Eat soft foods that don't 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 the glands to hurt more.