Fever, swelling, and stiffness of the salivary glands in a child are signs of which childhood disease?

• A. Rubella
• B. Measles
• C. Mumps
• D. Whooping cough

Answer: (C)

Parotid gland inflammation with fever and jaw stiffness in a child points to mumps. The mumps virus specifically targets the salivary glands, most commonly the parotids, causing painful swelling that can give the cheeks a chipmunk-like appearance and make opening the mouth uncomfortable. That combination of fever and swelling of the salivary glands is the classic clue.

Other diseases listed have different hallmark features: rubella tends to present with a mild fever and a spreading rash, measles shows a higher fever with cough, runny nose, red eyes, and Koplik spots before the rash, and whooping cough centers on a prolonged, harsh cough with a distinctive whoop on inhalation. Mumps is also vaccine-preventable with the MMR vaccine, which is why vaccination status is relevant in real-life care.

If you see this pattern, consider mumps and manage with supportive care, address fever and pain, monitor for potential complications, and advise isolation to prevent spread while supporting vaccination status review.