There is currently no
treatment for mumps that can kill the
mumps virus. Because mumps is caused by a virus, antibiotics or other medications for mumps are not effective. Therefore, mumps treatment focuses on providing relief from symptoms as the body fights the mumps virus. This is called supportive care.
Most people recover from mumps without any long-term problems. In rare cases, long-term problems can result, including deafness.
There are also a number of possible complications that can occur as a result of mumps. Some of these complications can occur with symptoms of mumps. In other cases, these complications may develop without symptoms.
- Inflammation of the testes (orchitis)
- Inflammation of the brain and/or tissue covering the brain and spinal cord (encephalitis/meningitis)
- Inflammation of the ovaries and/or breasts (oophoritis and mastitis)
- Spontaneous abortion, particularly in early pregnancy (miscarriage)
- Deafness, usually permanent
- Pancreatitis.
Prior to the
mumps vaccine being licensed in 1967, 100,000 to 200,000 mumps cases are estimated to have occurred in the United States each year. By way of contrast, fewer than 300 cases were reported in 2003.
The reduction in mumps cases is due to the mumps vaccine. Other than the vaccine, other
mumps prevention suggestions include:
- Wash hands well and often with soap, and teach children to wash their hands, too
- Don't share eating utensils
- Surfaces that are frequently touched (toys, doorknobs, tables, counters, etc.) should also be regularly cleaned with soap and water or with cleaning wipes
- Limit your contact with people who have known symptoms of mumps.
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