MUMPS

The mumps are caused by a virus, which is spread from person-to-person by respiratory droplets (for example, when you sneeze) or by direct contact with items that have been contaminated with infected saliva.
The parotid glands (the largest salivary glands, located between the ear and the jaw) are often swollen.

Mumps most commonly occurs in children between age 2 and 12 who have not been vaccinated against the disease. However, the infection can occur at any age.

Greg and I had them back to back in the fall and early winter. He teased me a lot as I was only able to eat a mush made from milk and soda crackers. But life would make it miserable for him at Thanksgiving and you can be certain I waved roast turkey under his fat chin.

We know that adult males may have mumps settle in their testes. It is learned it can affect one's pancreas as well. There was an expression, in a hush, hush sort of manner about some adult male who had mumps and "they went down on him." Have you heard the expression?

For my brother and I, it was just an annoying illness that made us feel crappy and came and went after a few days. We got all the soda pop we wanted and where given aspirin. ASPIRIN? Yes, there was no Reye's Syndrome scare.

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