Ducks’ Corey Perry, Francois Beauchemin diagnosed with mumps

The illness that has sidelined Ducks’ goals leader Corey Perry and veteran defenseman Francois Beauchemin was diagnosed Wednesday as the common mumps, the team’s doctor said.

Perry, who missed his fourth game Wednesday, is cleared to resume conditioning, practice and other team activities because he is no longer contagious, Dr. Craig Milhouse said.

“He is cleared of the disease at this point,” Milhouse said.

Beauchemin, who fell ill Saturday and has missed two games, received intravenous fluid treatment Wednesday and is “a couple days behind Perry,” so he won’t return to the team as quickly.

The remainder of the Ducks will receive mumps vaccinations in the coming days, Milhouse said.

While Perry and Beauchemin underwent blood tests recently, it was a swab test inside their mouths in which a “viral culture” is taken that established their condition, Milhouse said. The players originally left the team with flu symptoms and a fever, and were later described to be ill with a viral glandular infection.

“The mumps last about a week, the contagious period is about five to seven days after you start getting swollen glands,” Milhouse said, adding that fluids and Ibuprofen help ease the discomfort.

“It’s not more serious [in adults], seems like it hits them a little harder. The body fights it off, it runs its course and it’s over with.”

Milhouse said he learned from medical authorities that there has been a slight increase in mumps cases in Orange County in recent years, the disease transmitted by saliva and coughing.

It’s not known how either player contracted the mumps, the doctor said.