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Lifestyle and home remedies
By Mayo Clinic staffIf you or your child has mumps, time and rest are the best treatments. There's little your doctor can do to speed recovery. But you can take some steps to ease pain and discomfort and keep others from becoming infected:
- Rest in bed until the fever goes away.
- Isolate yourself or your child to prevent spreading the disease to others. Someone with mumps is most contagious within the first five days after the onset of signs and symptoms.
- Take acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) to ease symptoms. Adults may also use aspirin. Don't give aspirin to children because of the risk of Reye's syndrome, a rare but potentially fatal disease.
- Use a cold compress to ease the pain of swollen glands.
- Wear an athletic supporter to ease the pain of tender testicles.
- Avoid foods that require lots of chewing. Instead, try broth-based soups or soft foods, such as mashed potatoes or cooked oatmeal, for nourishment.
- Avoid sour foods, such as citrus fruits or juices, which stimulate saliva production.
- Drink plenty of fluids.
- Plan low-key activities.
If your child has mumps, the most important thing you can do is to watch for complications. Call your doctor if your child develops:
- Fever of 103 F (39 C) or greater
- Trouble eating or drinking
- Confusion or disorientation
- Abdominal pain
- In boys, pain and swelling of the testicles
References
- Arumugam V, et al. Mumps. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2010. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/189250272-4/0/2088/427.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05609-0..00022-8--sc0180_8757. Accessed March 17, 2010.
- Gutierrez KM. Mumps virus. In: Long SS, et al., eds. Principles and Practice of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/189250272-5/0/1679/228.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-443-06687-0..50227-7--cesec14_4159. Accessed March 17, 2010.
- Litman N, et al. Mumps virus. In: Mandell GL, et al. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier; 2005. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/book.do?method=display&type=bookPage&decorator=header&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-443-06839-3..00157-0--s0035&uniq=189250272&isbn=978-0-443-06839-3#lpState=open&lpTab=contentsTab&content=4-u1.0-B978-0-443-06839-3..00157-0%3Bfrom%3Dtoc%3Btype%3DbookPage%3Bisbn%3D978-0-443-06839-3. Accessed March 17, 2010.
- Albrecht MA. Epidemiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis and management of mumps. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 17, 2010.
- Mumps: Questions and answers. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4211.pdf. Accessed March 17, 2010.
- Albrecht MA. Mumps virus vaccine. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 17, 2010.
- Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/Vaccines/MMR/MMR.html. Accessed March 17, 2010.
- Hoecker JL (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. April 1, 2010.
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