What it means
A viral infection spread by droplets from coughs, sneezes and saliva. After fever, headache and tiredness, the parotid glands below and in front of the ears usually swell on one or both sides. It can cause swelling of the testicles or ovaries, meningitis and deafness. The MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine prevents it, and since the vaccine became routine it has become uncommon in the US.
For the nurse
Use droplet precautions until 5 days after the gland swelling begins. Check that children get two doses of MMR, the first at 12 to 15 months and the second at 4 to 6 years. Comfort care includes fluids, soft foods, and warm or cold packs on the neck.
At a glance
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Related terms
vaccine
A product that trains the immune system to protect the body against a specific disease.
precaution
A step taken ahead of time to prevent harm, such as the infection-control practices used with every client.
measles
A very contagious illness caused by the measles virus; also called rubeola.
virus
A tiny germ, much smaller than a bacterium, that can only multiply inside the living cells of another organism.