Symptoms:
Swelling of one or both salivary glands, fever (up to 104o F.), chills, headache, sore throat, and pain when swallowing or chewing. Swelling often occurs in one gland first, and then begins in the other as swelling in the first subsides. But it may occur on only one side.

Cause:
Mumps is an infection of the salivary (parotid) glands, located in front of, and below, each ear. It rarely occurs before 3 years of age or after 40. Either direct contact or droplets spread the disease.

Mumps is not as contagious as chickenpox or measles. But a person with the disease is still contagious from 48 hours, before symptoms develop, to 6 days afterward. Incubation is 14 to 21 days.

One bout and lifetime immunity generally follows.

If it is acquired after puberty, the ovaries or testes may become involved and sterility may result. Other complications can also occur, which affect the heart, kidneys, and brain.

If no complications occur, complete recovery generally occurs within about 10 days.

Swollen salivary glands can be caused by several other diseases: A partial list includes cirrhosis of the liver, leukemia, lupus, and tuberculosis (all of which are dealt with in this book). It also includes strep throat and the taking of certain drugs. If it is an isolated case of "mumps," it might actually be something else.

Treatment:
• Keep the diet simple, fat-free, and sugar-free. Avoid foods that require chewing or might be irritating. Eat mostly raw fruits and vegetables that are juiced or softened.

• Drink plenty of pure water and fresh juices. This will keep the body working well, help flush toxins, and render it less likely that complications may occur.

• Do not eat junk food of any type. Avoid caffeine, tobacco, alcohol, soft drinks, etc. Avoid acidic foods, such as pickles or citrus fruits.

• To relieve pain, cold or warm compresses (whichever feels best) may be placed on the neck and over the glands. But avoid hot or icy cold applications.

• If nausea and/or pain on swallowing becomes so severe that the person becomes unable to eat, intravenous administration of dextrose and fluids may be needed.

• Do not give aspirin to a child or youth with a fever; it may result in death! (See "Reye's Syndrome.")