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Preparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic staffCall your family doctor if you or your child has signs and symptoms common to mumps. Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment.
Information to gather in advance
- Pre-appointment restrictions. Ask if there are any restrictions you or your child should follow in the time leading up to the appointment, such as staying isolated from others so as not to spread infection.
- Symptom history. Write down any symptoms you or your child has had, and for how long.
- Recent exposure to possible sources of infection. Try to remember if you or your child has been exposed to someone with mumps signs and symptoms in the last few weeks.
- Key medical information. Include any other health problems and the names of any medications you or your child is taking.
- Questions to ask your doctor. Write down your questions in advance so that you can make the most of your time with your doctor.
The list below suggests questions to raise with your doctor about mumps.
- What is the most likely cause of these signs and symptoms?
- Are there any other possible causes?
- What treatment approach do you recommend?
- How soon do you expect symptoms to improve?
- Are there any home remedies or self-care steps that could help relieve symptoms?
- Am I or my child contagious? For how long?
- What steps should be taken to reduce the risk of infecting others?
Don't hesitate to ask more questions during your appointment at any time that you don't understand something.
What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. Being ready to answer them may reserve time to go over any points you want to talk about in-depth. Your doctor may ask:
- What signs and symptoms have you noticed?
- When did you first notice these signs and symptoms?
- Have these signs and symptoms gotten worse over time?
- Do symptoms include abdominal pain or, in boys and men, testicular pain?
- Has anyone else you know had signs and symptoms common to mumps within the last few weeks?
- Are you and your child current with recommended vaccinations for your age group?
- Are you or your child currently being treated or have you recently been treated for any other medical conditions?
- What medications are you or your child currently taking, including prescription and over-the-counter drugs as well as vitamins and supplements?
- Is your child in school or child care?
- Are you pregnant or breast-feeding?
What you can do in the meantime
While you wait for your appointment, you may be able to ease symptoms with cold compresses and over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) and acetaminophen (Tylenol, others). Don't give aspirin to your child without first consulting your child's doctor.
Rest as much as possible, and avoid contact with others until you've seen the doctor. Mumps is highly contagious within about the first week after symptoms first appear.
- 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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