What are the signs and symptoms of mumps?
First signs and symptoms may be fever, headache, muscle and joint pains, or feeling more sleepy than usual. A few days later, your child may have one or more of the following: • Ear pain and abdominal (belly) pain. • Not hungry and thirsty. Your child may have nausea (feel sick to his stomach) or vomiting (throwing up). • Pain when chewing or moving the mouth. Eating sour or tangy foods or drinks may cause your child’s glands to make more saliva. This can cause increased pain. • Swollen parotid glands on one or both sides of the cheeks and neck. These glands may be hard and painful. • Testicle pain. Boys with mumps may have testicles that become red, swollen, or painful. Testicles are round, rubbery organs located inside the scrotum (loose sack of skin behind a boy’s penis). How can I help my child feel more comfortable while he has mumps? • Help your child to rest. Make sure your child rests and gets plenty of sleep. If your child feels OK, allow him to do play that will not make him
