What medications are used to treat mumps?

Mumps Treatment: Symptomatic Management Only

Mumps has no specific antiviral treatment—management is entirely supportive with pain control, hydration, and isolation to prevent transmission. 1

Primary Symptomatic Treatment

Use acetaminophen or NSAIDs for pain and fever control to manage fever, headache, and parotid gland pain. 1, 2 This is the cornerstone of mumps management, as the disease is self-limiting in most cases. 1

Supportive Care Measures

• Ensure adequate hydration and fluid intake, as parotitis makes swallowing uncomfortable and painful. 1, 2
• Recommend soft foods and avoid acidic foods that stimulate salivary flow and worsen parotid pain. 1
• Treatment is generally supportive across all age groups, with no role for antiviral medications in routine cases. 3, 4

Mandatory Isolation Protocols

Implement droplet precautions immediately and isolate patients for 5 days after parotitis onset, as patients are contagious from 7 days before through 8 days after parotitis begins. 1, 2 This is critical because mumps spreads through respiratory droplets and direct contact with saliva. 1, 2

Monitoring for Serious Complications

The disease is generally self-limiting, but complications can cause permanent morbidity. 1 Age matters significantly—complications are more common and severe in adults than children. 1

Neurological Complications (Monitor Closely)

• Watch for aseptic meningitis (occurs in 4-6% of cases): severe headache, neck stiffness, photophobia, or altered mental status. 1, 2
• Assess for encephalitis signs: seizures, paralysis, or cranial nerve palsies, which can cause permanent sequelae including paralysis, aqueductal stenosis, and hydrocephalus. 5, 1
• Evaluate for sudden sensorineural deafness, which may be bilateral and permanent—mumps was a major cause of childhood deafness in the pre-vaccine era. 5, 1, 2

Reproductive System Complications

• In postpubertal males, assess for orchitis (occurs in up to 38% of cases): testicular pain and swelling, though sterility is rare. 1, 2, 6 Orchitis typically develops about 10 days after parotitis onset. 6
• In postpubertal females, monitor for oophoritis (ovarian inflammation). 1

Other Systemic Complications

• Watch for pancreatitis: severe abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. 1, 2

Special Situation: Facial Nerve Involvement

If facial weakness develops from facial nerve inflammation, initiate corticosteroid therapy promptly with prednisone 1-2 mg/kg/day for 5-7 days followed by a taper over 5-7 days to reduce inflammation and improve nerve function. 1 Provide eye protection to prevent corneal damage. 1 Reassure patients that complete recovery occurs in approximately 70-80% of cases within 3-6 months. 1

Critical Clinical Caveats

• Parotitis is NOT present in all cases—only 30-40% of mumps infections produce typical acute parotitis, while 15-20% are asymptomatic and up to 50% present with nonspecific or respiratory symptoms. 1, 6 This makes clinical diagnosis challenging and laboratory confirmation preferred. 5
• Serious complications can occur without parotitis, so maintain clinical suspicion even without classic parotid swelling. 6
• Laboratory confirmation is preferred using mumps IgM antibody testing or viral isolation, as parotitis has multiple infectious and noninfectious causes. 5
• Report probable or confirmed cases immediately to state and local health departments. 5