A child who complains of earache and pain on chewing, and then develops a swelling in front of and below the ear that gives the face a “hamster” look, may have mumps. It is a viral infection of the salivary glands that spreads easily in schools and families. Most children recover completely in about ten days, but mumps can occasionally cause complications, especially in teenagers and adults. This guide explains the illness, the warning signs, how to care for the patient, and the homeopathic medicines traditionally considered.
Mumps: quick answers
- What is it? A contagious viral infection that causes painful swelling of the salivary glands, usually the parotid glands in front of the ears.
- Symptoms: Fever, headache, tiredness, muscle ache, and swollen, tender cheeks or jaw that makes chewing and swallowing painful.
- How long does it last? Swelling lasts about 7 to 10 days; the patient is contagious from a few days before the swelling until about five days after it begins.
- Prevention: Two doses of the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine give good protection.
- See a doctor if: There is severe headache, stiff neck, vomiting, severe abdominal pain, testicular pain or swelling, or hearing loss.
About mumps
Mumps is caused by a paramyxovirus that spreads in droplets from the nose and throat through coughing, sneezing and shared cups and utensils. After exposure, symptoms take about 16 to 18 days to appear, with a range of 12 to 25 days. It begins with fever, headache and aches, followed within a day or two by swelling of one or both parotid glands. Some people have a mild or no symptoms at all.
Mumps usually resolves without treatment, but complications can occur. The virus can affect the testicles (orchitis) in teenage and adult males, the ovaries, the pancreas, the brain coverings (meningitis) and, rarely, hearing. Orchitis causes pain, swelling and fever, and is usually in one testicle; it rarely causes infertility, but it needs medical care.
Mumps has become rare in places with good MMR vaccine coverage, but outbreaks still occur. Vaccination is the best protection. Other conditions such as bacterial infection of the salivary gland, a blocked salivary duct, tooth abscess or lymph node infection can look like mumps, so a doctor should confirm the diagnosis.
Common symptoms of mumps
Symptoms vary from person to person. Common ones include:
- Swelling and tenderness in front of and below the ear, on one or both sides
- Pain when chewing, swallowing or drinking sour things such as lemon juice
- Fever, headache, tiredness, loss of appetite and muscle aches
- Earache and difficulty opening the mouth fully
- Swelling of the jaw and neck, giving the face a rounded shape
- In some people, no symptoms or just a mild cold-like illness
Causes and risk factors of mumps
There is rarely a single cause. Factors that may contribute include:
- Infection with the mumps virus spread by droplets from coughing, sneezing and talking, and by shared items
- Not being vaccinated, or having had incomplete MMR vaccination
- Crowded places such as schools, hostels and camps
- Reduced immunity over time after vaccination, rarely, causing mild disease
- Not caused by sour foods, though they make the pain worse
When to see a doctor
Mumps is usually mild, but you should have it confirmed by a doctor. Seek medical care promptly for:
- Severe headache, neck stiffness, repeated vomiting, drowsiness or confusion (possible meningitis)
- Pain, swelling or redness of a testicle in a boy or man, or lower abdominal pain in a woman
- Severe upper abdominal pain with vomiting (possible pancreatitis)
- Hearing loss, ringing in the ears or giddiness
- A swelling that persists beyond two weeks, becomes red and hot, or is one-sided with fever and pus in the mouth
- Mumps in a pregnant woman, or a person with a weak immune system
Wondering which of these medicines is right for you?
Every person with mumps is different, and so is the medicine that works best for them. To discover the best-suited homeopathic medicines for mumps for you, consult our experts. They will study your symptoms, your past treatment history and your personality, and then find the homeopathy medicines that suit you best.
Call +91 8080 850 950 for a 1:1 personal consultation with our experts today.
Homeopathic medicines for mumps
The medicines below are commonly considered in homeopathy for mumps, with the symptom picture traditionally associated with each. They are listed for general information, not as a prescription.
(1) Belladonna: Early, sudden swelling of the right parotid with burning heat, redness, throbbing, a flushed face, high fever and sensitivity to touch and jarring.
(2) Mercurius solubilis: Swollen salivary glands with excessive drooling, foul breath, a coated tongue with teeth marks and a metallic taste, worse at night.
(3) Phytolacca decandra: Hard, painful swelling of the glands with pain shooting to the ear on swallowing, and a feeling of stiffness of the jaw and neck.
(4) Pulsatilla nigricans: Mumps with mild fever, thirstlessness, tearfulness and a desire for open air, and especially when the swelling shifts to the testicles in boys.
(5) Rhus toxicodendron: Swollen glands with restlessness, stiffness and aching, better for warmth, and a tendency to left-sided swelling.
(6) Pilocarpus (Jaborandi): Considered in mumps with profuse salivation and sweating, and swelling of the glands with a feeling of fullness.
(7) Aconite napellus: Sudden onset of mumps after exposure to cold, dry wind, with restless fever, thirst and fear in the first stage.
(8) Calcarea carbonica: Slow, lingering mumps in chilly, fair, chubby children with sweating of the head and a tendency to swollen glands.
(9) Bryonia alba: Hard, painful swelling with irritability, dry mouth, great thirst and worse from the slightest movement, relieved by lying still.
(10) Lachesis muta: Left-sided swelling, bluish and sensitive to touch around the neck, with difficulty swallowing and a feeling of tightness around the throat.
Homeopathic treatment of mumps at Welling Homeopathy
These are only basic indications – many more homeopathic medicines are used for mumps, and the right one is chosen after detailed case-taking by an experienced doctor.
Homeopathy is offered as supportive care during mumps. Reliable scientific evidence that homeopathic medicines treat or prevent mumps is lacking. The MMR vaccine is the proven way to prevent it, and complications such as meningitis or testicular swelling need prompt medical treatment.
To find out about our care for this condition, see homeopathic care for children, contact a Welling clinic or call +91 80 80 850 950 for a consultation in person or online.
Self-care and lifestyle tips
These measures support general health and may ease symptoms, but they do not replace treatment when it is needed.
- Rest at home and avoid school or work until about five days after the swelling started, to prevent spread.
- Give paracetamol for fever and pain as advised for age, and avoid aspirin in children.
- Apply a warm or cold pack to the swollen cheek, whichever feels more comfortable.
- Eat soft foods such as khichdi, curd rice, soups, mashed fruits and porridge, and avoid sour, spicy and citrus foods and drinks, which trigger gland pain.
- Drink plenty of fluids and rinse the mouth with warm salt water to keep it clean.
- Wash hands often and do not share cups, plates or utensils.
- Make sure that other family members are up to date with MMR vaccination; ask your doctor.
Frequently asked questions about mumps
1. How long does mumps last?
Swelling usually lasts about 7 to 10 days. The patient is contagious from a few days before the swelling begins until about five days after it starts.
2. Can mumps cause infertility?
Mumps can inflame the testicles in teenage and adult males, which is painful, but it rarely causes infertility, particularly if only one side is affected. Medical care is important.
3. Is mumps dangerous?
It is usually mild, but complications such as meningitis, pancreatitis, testicular or ovarian inflammation and, rarely, hearing loss can occur, so watch for warning signs.
4. Why is sour food avoided in mumps?
Sour foods and drinks make the salivary glands produce saliva, which causes sharp pain in the swollen gland.
5. Can homeopathy treat mumps?
Homeopathic medicines are traditionally used as supportive care in mumps, but reliable scientific evidence that they treat or prevent it is lacking. Vaccination and medical review of complications are essential.
6. Can a vaccinated person get mumps?
Yes, but it is uncommon and usually milder. Two doses of MMR vaccine give the best protection.
7. Can you get mumps more than once?
Second infections are rare. Swollen glands can also come from other causes, so a doctor should confirm the diagnosis.
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To consult Welling Homeopathy experts, call +91 80 80 850 950.
Disclaimer: this page is for information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Results vary from person to person.
