Mumps in children: When to see a

When to see a doctor See your health care provider if you or your child has symptoms of mumps. Mumps spreads very easily for about five days after the swelling starts. If you think you have mumps, let the clinic know before you go. The clinic staff likely will take steps to prevent the spread of disease. Every mom wants to protect her child from mumps. Learn early warning signs of mumps in children, when to seek diagnosis, and prevention tips to keep them safe. 1. What is it? Mumps is a viral infection of the parotid gland. “It’s a little gland that lives in front and below each ear. The gland normally makes saliva, but it can be infected with a virus,” says Julia Orkin, a paediatrician at Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children. The mumps virus is spread by droplets of saliva or secretions from the nose. Things like sneezing on someone, or sharing a glass, could spread the virus. What is mumps in children? Mumps is a very contagious viral illness that infects the pair of salivary glands in front of the ears. These are called the parotid glands. Symptoms of mumps include swelling in the throat and jaw. Mumps usually occurs in childhood but can occur at any age.