The mumps virus causes mumps. Although mumps does not usually cause serious long-term problems, the acute symptoms, such as severe swelling of the salivary glands under the jawbone, can be very uncomfortable. Adults are more likely to have serious complications if they become infected. Childcare providers should be aware that exposure to the virus in the first trimester of pregnancy may increase the rate of spontaneous abortion. Mumps is spread from person to person through direct contact with saliva, secretions from the respiratory tract, and urine of an infected person.

Mumps is vaccine-preventable. Adults born before 1957 are considered to be immune. The mumps vaccine is administered as part of the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine series to children beginning at 12 to 15 months and again at 4 to 6 years of age or 11 to 12 years of age.

If a case of mumps occurs in your facility:

Notify the local health department
Notify parents.
Exclude the infected child from the facility until 9 days after the swelling begins, or until the swelling subsides.
Make sure all children and adults follow good hand washing practices.
In large facilities, follow appropriate group separation practices.
Review the immunization records of all children in the facility to assure they have received their first mumps vaccination. Those not adequately vaccinated should be referred to their physicians.
Closely observe all children for symptoms and refer anyone developing symptoms to his or her physician.

© January 1997