Mumps- Question regarding the swelling?

How long does the swelling in mumps go down, especially in adults? Is there any medication that can treat mumps?

Well personally i have never seen mumps in an adult, since in my country vaccination is almost 100%. I have seen it in very small children though, especially those of immigrants. No treatment is usually used for it since the fever should go down in 3-4 days and its generally self-limiting. Sometimes painkillers are used if the child is very uncomfortable but usually we limit treatment to salt water gargles, a cold compress on the swelling and lots of fluids. The swelling is usually down in a week or two.

In an adult it is important to be aware of the possibility of involvement of the ovary or testes since this is much more common then in children. So if there is abdominal pain and a sudden surge of fever again make sure to recontact your doctor.

Incubation

The incubation period for mumps can be 12 to 25 days, but the average is 16 to 18 days.
Duration

Children usually recover from mumps in about 10 to 12 days. It takes about 1 week for the swelling to disappear in each parotid gland, but both glands don't usually swell at the same time.
Professional Treatment

If you think that your child has mumps, call your child's doctor, who can confirm the diagnosis and work with you to monitor your child's progress and watch for any complications. The doctor can also notify the health authorities who keep track of childhood immunization programs and mumps outbreaks.

Because mumps is caused by a virus, it cannot be treated with antibiotics.

At home, monitor and keep track of your child's temperature. You can use nonaspirin fever medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen to bring down a fever. These medicines will also help relieve pain in the swollen parotid glands. Unless instructed by your child's doctor, aspirin should not be used in children with viral illnesses because the use of aspirin in such cases has been associated with the development of Reye syndrome, which can lead to liver failure and death.

You can also soothe your child's swollen parotid glands with either warm or cold packs. Serve a soft, bland diet that does not require a lot of chewing and encourage your child to drink plenty of fluids. Avoid serving tart or acidic fruit juices (like orange juice, grapefruit juice, or lemonade) that make parotid pain worse. Water, decaffeinated soft drinks, and tea are better tolerated.

When mumps involves the testicles, the doctor may prescribe stronger medications for pain and swelling and provide instructions on how to apply warm or cool packs to soothe the area and how to provide extra support for the testicles.

A child with mumps doesn't need to stay in bed, but may play quietly. Ask your doctor about the best time for your child to return to school.