Mumps
Prevention and Control of Communicable Diseases
Mumps
Reportable to local or state health department
Consult the health department before posting/distributing Parent/Guardian fact sheet.
Cause
Mumps virus.
Symptoms
Most commonly, swollen glands in front of and below the ear, headache, low-grade fever, muscle aches, loss of appetite, and earache. Up to 30% of all people infected with the mumps virus have no symptoms. Orchitis (swelling of the testicles) is a common symptom in males after puberty. Rarely, swelling of the spinal cord and brain (encephalitis), inflammation of the ovaries (oophoritis) or breasts (mastitis), and deafness may occur. Serious problems from mumps are more common among adults than among children.
Spread
When a person with mumps sneezes or coughs tiny droplets with mumps virus into the air and another person breathes them in or by touching secretions from the nose and throat of an infected person and then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
Other examples of how the virus can be spread is through sharing toys, beverage containers, eating utensils, and smoking materials (e.g. cigarettes), and kissing.
Incubation
From 3 days before until 5 days after swelling begins. Most contagious 48 hours before the illness begins.
Contagious Period
From 2 days before until 5 days after swelling begins.
Exclusion
Child Care and School: Until 5 days after swelling begins.
Exclude unvaccinated children and staff if two or more cases of mumps occur. Exclusion will last through at least 26 days after the onset of parotid gland swelling in the last person who developed mumps. Once vaccinated, students and staff can be readmitted. Recommendations for exclusion should be made in collaboration with your local/state public health department.
Diagnosis
Swollen glands can be found with other illnesses. Swabs from the cheek, throat, or urine may be collected for testing. A blood test specific for mumps antibody may also be done.
Treatment
None, only symptom care.
Prevention/Control
- Mumps vaccine is usually combined with measles and rubella (MMR) or measles, rubella, and varicella (MMRV) and given at 12-15 months and 4-6 years of age. Two doses or a legal exemption are required for kindergarten.
- Unvaccinated people who have been exposed to mumps should call their healthcare provider or local public health clinic as soon as possible to be vaccinated.
- Encourage parents/guardians to notify their child care provider or school when their child is vaccinated so their records can be updated.
- Recommend staff stay home if they develop symptoms of mumps. Encourage parents/guardians to keep their child home if they develop symptoms of mumps.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, or cough/sneeze into your sleeve. Dispose of used tissues.
- DO NOT allow sharing of beverage containers, eating utensils, smoking materials (cigarettes, cigars, snuff, pipes, etc.), toothbrushes, lip gloss, lip balm, and lipstick.
- Regular and thorough handwashing is the best way to prevent the spread of communicable diseases. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm running water after contact with secretions from the nose or mouth.
- Clean and sanitize mouthed objects and surfaces at least daily and when soiled.
For more information, call the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (MDHSS) Bureau of Communicable Disease Control and Prevention at 573-751-6113 or 800-392-0272 (24/7), or call your local health department.
Mumps Parent Fact Sheet
Your child may have been exposed to:
Mumps
Mumps is a viral illness that can be prevented through vaccination.
If you think your child has Mumps:
- Tell your child care provider or call the school.
- Need to stay home?
- Child Care and School:
Yes, until 5 days after swelling begins.
- Child Care and School:
If two or more cases of mumps occur in your child care or school, public health will inform unvaccinated children and staff how long they will need to stay home.
Symptoms
Your child may have swollen glands in front of and below the ear. Your child may have a headache or a fever.
If your child is infected, it may take 12 to 25 days for symptoms to start.
Spread
- By coughing or sneezing.
- By touching contaminated hands, objects, or surfaces.
Contagious Period
For 3 days before until 5 days after swelling begins. Most contagious 48 hours before illness begins.
Call your Healthcare Provider
If anyone in your home:
- was exposed to mumps and has not had mumps or mumps vaccine in the past.
- develops symptoms of mumps. A blood test may be done.
Prevention
- All children by the age of 15 months must be vaccinated against mumps or have an exemption for child care enrollment. Mumps vaccine is usually combined with measles and rubella (MMR) or measles, rubella, and varicella (MMRV) and given at 12-15 months and 4-6 years of age. Two doses or a legal exemption are required for kindergarten. . When a mumps outbreak is identified, exemptions in child care centers or schools will not be allowed.
- An unimmunized person can be readmitted immediately after immunization. Students who refuse immunization should be excluded until at least 26 days after the onset of parotitis in the last person with mumps in the affected school or child care center.
- Parents should keep infants away from individuals suspected of having mumps.
- People who have close contact with infants should be up-to-date on their immunizations.
- Cover nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing. Use a tissue or your sleeve. Dispose of used tissues.
- Wash hands after touching anything that could be contaminated with secretions from the nose or mouth. Your child may need help with handwashing.
- Clean and disinfect anything that comes in contact with secretions from the nose or mouth. Use a product that kills viruses.
- DO NOT share anything that you put in your mouth, for example, beverage containers, eating utensils, cigarettes, toothbrushes, and lip balm.
For more information, call the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (MDHSS) Bureau of Communicable Disease Control and Prevention at 573-751-6113 or 800-392-0272 (24/7), or call your local health department.