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Treatment for Mumps
Currently, mumps treatment consists of managing the symptoms while the body fights off the infection. Such treatment -- called supportive care -- includes things like warm compresses and medication to help control fever or pain. Complications may require a visit to the doctor if the related conditions are particularly severe.
Treating Mumps: An Overview
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, treatment focuses on providing relief from symptoms as the body fights the virus. This is called supportive care. Supportive care can include:
- Medications (such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen) to control fever or pain
- Warm, moist towels to help with swelling
- Fluids
- Rest until the fever improves
- Soft, bland diet.
After about one to two weeks, mumps symptoms should have faded. However, in some cases, complications of mumps can develop after the original symptoms have improved.
Visiting the Doctor for Mumps Treatment
If you become very ill due to the mumps or from complications associated with it, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. In addition, it's a good idea to call the doctor in advance so that you don't have to sit in the waiting room for a long time and possibly infect other patients.
Mumps Prognosis
Most people recover from mumps without any long-term problems. In rare cases, long-term problems, including deafness, can result. Unfortunately, there is no treatment for mumps that can prevent related complications.
Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD