How is mumps treated? There’s no specific treatment for mumps. The disease must run its course and usually goes away on its own within a couple of weeks. Mumps treatment focuses on alleviating your child’s symptoms to make them as comfortable as possible. The following steps can help manage symptoms: Drink plenty of fluids. Gargle warm salt water. Eat soft, easy-to-chew foods. Avoid acidic foods that make your mouth water. Suck on an ice pop to soothe a sore throat. Place ice or heat packs on swollen glands. Take non-aspirin medications such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen to reduce fever and help with pain. Don’t give your child aspirin. Children with viruses such as mumps who take aspirin can develop Reye’s syndrome, a dangerous disease that causes liver failure, swelling of their brain and even death.