Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Children's health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

I'd say he had mumps if I didn't know better...

15 replies

Frog253 · 21/12/2010 18:22

He's 18 months old and has had MMR jab so it can't be mumps. However, he has had a cold for about a week now and it seems to be getting worse, certainly not better. He won't eat anything, can't even get calpol down him. This reminds me of having mumps myself as I had a very sore / swollen throat.

He will drink water and is taking loads of bm. His temp is only slightly up and he is grizzly. He coughs a lot of the day (but not much at night which is something so he sleeps well). Perhaps the cough is making his throat sore? Can't even give him a sucky sweet to help cos he's too young. What point do I go to the GP? I know they are busy and I know they don't give abs for coughs and colds and it will be difficult for me to get there with the weather...so my question is do you never go to the GP with cold-like symptoms or do you go after a period of time of not improving or is a high temp. the reason to go?

OP posts:
nymphadora · 21/12/2010 18:35

My older two had measles and gad had MMR. It was just mildr than usual.

Might be worth phoning GP?

SproutsMakeTortoiseFart · 21/12/2010 18:37

My friends DS had Mumps age 6 even though he had had the MMR .

DilysPrice · 21/12/2010 18:43

If he's only had one MMR dose (presumably the case at 18 months) then mumps is definitely possible, just unlikely. There's millions of children in the UK, so it's almost bound to happen to one of them.
You could try NHS Direct (although it really annoys me, but this is pretty much what it's there for).

Sidge · 21/12/2010 18:47

We've been seeing lots of people, including young children, with an awful virus that seems to drag on for about two weeks.

They have a slight temperature, very sore throat, headache, feel a bit achey and off colour and often have a dry cough. When examined they don't seem to have any infections such as tonsillitis or a chest or ear infection, but they aren't very well.

Your DS could have something similar, he could have tonsillitis, or he could have mild mumps despite having had MMR. If it's dragging on it could be worth getting him checked over, but it's good that he's having plenty of fluids, especially breastmilk. If he won't have Calpol you could try soluble paracetamol for children eg Disprol and mix it with BM or weak squash. Also warm water with honey and lemon is quite soothing.

Dolanette · 21/12/2010 19:03

He could get a mild dose of M M or R even if he is vaccinated. My 3yo has a virus at moment.Swollen tonsils and lymphnodes. Hope he gets better soon!

nymphadora · 21/12/2010 19:19

Sidge where are you? my dd1 is just getting over that. Dd2 had the cough & dd3 snuffly for about 5 weeks & shes only 11 weeks. Seen dr/Hv but they just say virus.

Original poster
Frog253 · 21/12/2010 19:21

Thanks for your quick replies. Sidge you seem to be describing him exactly. You say 'you've been seeing' are you a Dr or Nurse? The fact that he is taking breastmilk and water is extremely comforting as I know he is getting some nutrition. Thanks for the tip about Disprol, will try that.
Thought I'd try here before NHS direct as response is usually faster, I get a good overview of ideas and I don't have to answer loads of questions before I get an answer.
I didn't know that he could get M or M or R at all after the jabs, even mildly.

OP posts:
Original poster
Frog253 · 21/12/2010 19:24

Just seen your profile Sidge and have answered my own question.

OP posts:
MiasMARY · 21/12/2010 19:25

My 2 have both had was sidge is describing. It's gone on FOREVER but we seem to be coming to the end of it now.. probably 16 days or so. We've all had it and it's been different for us all but obv the same virus.

GoldFrakkincenseAndMyrrh · 21/12/2010 19:30

Can be mumps even if he's been vaxed. I would get it checked as mumps can cause complications (don't want to scare you btw because they're rare, but equally very serious).

MrsMountstewart · 21/12/2010 19:35

Most cases of mumps are in vaxed kids. Your GP may say it can't be mumps, though.

Seona1973 · 21/12/2010 19:57

does he have swollen glands in his neck? If not, it is unlikely to be mumps. The first mmr leaves up to 10% unprotected which is why the second one is given at the age of 3 as this then covers some of the 10% unprotected from the first one

Original poster
Frog253 · 21/12/2010 20:11

I checked his neck and couldn't feel any swelling although he keeps putting his hands to his face and ears as if he feels something wrong in that area. It's also the fact that he won't eat or swallow medicine that made me think of mumps.

I had mumps as a child and couldn't eat or laugh without it hurting but not like a regular sore throat.

OP posts:
sneezecakesmum · 21/12/2010 20:43

Mumps is usually quite distinctive with the facial swelling, one or both sides (think hampster). I think it is this dreadful bug thats doing the rounds. If he's still feverish after a week and is getting worse not better he could have gone on to develop a bacterial throat infection after the virus has done the groundwork. It may be worth getting his throat checked but it is a nasty bug and drags on.

dribbleface · 22/12/2010 09:54

Might be an ear infection. If it is bad it will hurt when he swallows.

Ds just recovering from nasty ear infections (both ears).

I would pop to GP especially as Xmas just around the corner. My surgery are always happy to see little ones.

Hope he feels better soon

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread