At the present time there is no mumps treatment available that can effectively kill the mumps virus. Since mumps is caused by a viral infection rather than a bacterial infection, mumps cannot be cured with antibiotics or other types of medications. Instead, mumps treatment is focused on supportive care which consists of providing the patient with relief from symptoms while the body is fighting off the illness.
Forms of Symptom Relief:
Mumps symptoms should fade after one to two weeks. In some cases however, complications can occur after the initial symptoms have improved. It is important to watch for any of the following symptoms:
If any of the above symptoms are noticed emergency medical care should be sought immediately.
Most cases of mumps clear up without any long-term consequences. There are rare cases however in which some long-term problems or serious complications can occur. These problems can include deafness or orchitis- infection of other organs. At this time, there is no mumps treatment that is able to prevent any related, but rare, complication. The best way to avoid mumps is through the MMR immunization which protects against not only mumps, but also measles and rubella. The first dose should be administered to children between the ages of 12-15 months. The second dose should be administered between the ages of 4 and 6, or between the ages of 11-12 years.