Is acute mumps contagious? What are the symptoms?

Acute mumps is contagious and is mostly caused by the mumps virus, which is transmitted through droplets and contact. Its typical symptoms are swelling and pain of the parotid glands on the face, accompanied by systemic manifestations such as fever and fatigue. Treatment methods include symptomatic treatment, supportive therapy and isolation protection.

1 Is acute mumps contagious?

The main cause of acute mumps is viral infection, the most common of which is the mumps virus. This virus is highly contagious and can be spread through droplets such as coughing and sneezing, or through contact such as sharing tableware and towels. Patients are contagious from 2 days before onset to 5 days after onset, so special protection is required when contacting patients.

2Symptoms of acute mumps

The main feature of acute mumps is swelling and pain in the unilateral or bilateral parotid area, which often extends from the earlobe to the surrounding area. Patients may feel tight skin and the pain worsens when pressed. Some patients have symptoms such as fever, fatigue, headache, loss of appetite, and more serious ones may have difficulty swallowing and limited mouth opening. Parotid swelling may initially be on one side and may affect the other side after a few days. Very few patients have complications such as orchitis and pancreatitis.

3 Treatment of acute mumps

There is currently no specific antiviral drug for acute mumps, and treatment is mainly symptomatic and supportive. The following are several effective methods:

Symptomatic treatment: Take antipyretic and analgesic drugs such as acetaminophen to relieve fever and pain, but the dosage needs to be adjusted under the guidance of a doctor.

Supportive therapy: Get more rest, eat a light diet, and avoid irritating, acidic, or hard foods. Eat easily digestible foods such as rice porridge and soft noodles. Drink plenty of water to ensure adequate water intake, which helps recovery.

Isolation and protection: Patients should wear masks and avoid close contact with their families to reduce the risk of virus transmission, especially children and unvaccinated people.

If the condition is serious, such as persistent high fever, large-area swelling, or suspected complications, you should seek medical attention in time for a clear diagnosis. In severe cases, ultrasound examination or other imaging methods may be required.

Acute mumps is contagious and requires early isolation and treatment. In daily life, vaccination with mumps vaccines such as MMR is an effective means of preventing infection. At the same time, maintaining good personal hygiene habits, such as washing hands frequently and reducing contact with public items, can further reduce the risk. If similar symptoms occur, please seek medical attention as soon as possible to avoid infecting others and strive to recover as soon as possible.