How to Diagnose Mumps

At one time, it was unusual for a child to go through his or her school years without experiencing the mumps virus. Then in 1967, a vaccine against this disease became available, and its incidence fell dramatically. Since school systems have required the vaccine, it is not as common as it used to be. However, if a child misses the vaccine, the virus is still around and mumps is still possible. In addition, because of the parts of the body it effects, other diseases often have similar symptoms. Learn some ways to diagnose what was once a very common childhood disease.

Instructions

    • 1

      Realize that mumps is a virus. It is spread through respiratory droplets like other respiratory viral infections. Its most common symptom is inflammation and swelling of the parotid gland, which is the body's largest salivary gland. The gland is located in the side of the face, just under and in front of the ear. Parents of children who had mumps would often refer to them as "my little chipmunk" because of the swelling of the gland. Go to the Mayo Clinic website for a classic picture of a child with mumps.

    • 2

      Know the symptoms of mumps. Just before a person develops the full blown symptoms of mumps, they may feel "kinda crummy" and may run a low grade fever and have muscle aches. The incubation period for the disease from time of contact until these early symptoms is two to three weeks. When full blown symptoms begin, the patient they may have abdominal pain, swollen testicles, pelvic pain or a very bad headache in addition to "chipmunk cheeks."

    • 3

      Be aware that other conditions may cause the same symptoms as mumps. These include a blockage in the duct that drains the parotid gland, a bacterial infection and other viruses. Some of these conditions require antibiotics and sometimes, the duct that drains the gland must be surgically opened.

    • 4

      Go to the doctor. Understand that a child or adult who for sure has been vaccinated against mumps stands a very low chance of ever getting the disease. If these people have inflammation of the parotid gland, it most likely is not caused by mumps and should be seen by a physician.

    • 5

      Get a blood test. The only definitive way to diagnose mumps is with a blood test.

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