The first step in diagnosing mumps is identifying the typical characteristics of the disease. Mumps is a viral infection that causes swelling in one or both of the parotid glands, salivary glands located under the ears. This often gives infected persons a "puffed up" appearance, as if they have packed their cheeks with food. Besides swelling, the patient may experience fever, muscle aches, and fatigue. Symptoms normally appear between 16 and 18 days after infection. If you experience these symptoms two or three weeks after exposure to someone with the mumps virus, you should call a doctor to request diagnosis.
Mumps has been relatively uncommon since the 1960s, when U.S. children began being routinely vaccinated against mumps, measles, and rubella. Other more common afflictions, such as tonsillitis or a blocked salivary gland, are often the source of similar symptoms. If you suspect you or your child has contracted mumps, you should contact your medical provider for diagnosis. A virus culture or blood test is usually required to diagnose mumps. There is an antibody specific to mumps that, if detected by a blood test, can confirm that the patient's symptoms are the result of a mumps infection.
There is no treatment for mumps, but serious complications are rare. Once diagnosed with mumps, the patient should be given plenty of fluids and can be given medication to alleviate the symptoms of fever. The patient should also be isolated from others, since mumps is contagious and can be spread through infected saliva for up to 9 days after it has been contracted. Anyone who has not been immunized by previous infection or by a mumps vaccine is vulnerable to the virus, but young children are especially susceptible.