Mumps is a viral infection that causes swelling in the salivary glands

Mumps is caused by the mumps virus, which spreads through respiratory droplets—the tiny particles released when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. The infection typically starts in the salivary glands, which sit just below and in front of the ears. These glands swell painfully, usually on both sides of the face, which is the hallmark sign most people recognize. The swelling usually appears three to five days after exposure to the virus.

The illness is most contagious from two days before the swelling starts until five days after it appears. This means people can spread mumps without knowing they have it, since the first symptoms are often mild—fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue—before the distinctive swelling shows up. Once the glands swell, the diagnosis becomes obvious, but by then the person has already been contagious for several days.

Key Takeaways

  • Mumps causes painful swelling of the salivary glands, usually on both sides of the face, along with fever and body aches.
  • The virus spreads through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks, and people are contagious before symptoms appear.
  • Most people recover on their own within one to two weeks, but mumps can cause serious complications including meningitis, deafness, and inflammation of reproductive organs.
  • The MMR vaccine prevents mumps in most people who receive both doses, and vaccination is the only reliable way to avoid infection.
  • There is no specific treatment for mumps—care focuses on managing pain and fever while the immune system clears the virus.

Early symptoms appear before the glands swell

The first signs of mumps often feel like a mild cold or flu. A person may have a fever between 101 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit, along with a headache, body aches, and fatigue. Some people lose their appetite or feel nauseous. These symptoms typically last a few days before the characteristic swelling of the salivary glands begins.

The glands that swell are called the parotid glands, located on either side of the face just below the ears. The swelling is usually tender to the touch and makes chewing and swallowing painful. In most cases, both sides swell, though sometimes only one side is affected. The swelling peaks around three to seven days after it starts, then gradually goes down over the next week or two.

Serious complications can develop, especially in adults

While most people recover from mumps without lasting problems, the virus can cause complications that affect other parts of the body. Meningitis—inflammation of the membrane around the brain and spinal cord—occurs in a small percentage of mumps cases. Symptoms include severe headache, stiff neck, sensitivity to light, and confusion. Encephalitis, inflammation of the brain itself, is rarer but more serious.

Mumps can also cause permanent hearing loss, sometimes in just one ear. This can happen suddenly and may not be noticed immediately, especially in young children. In adolescent and adult males, the virus can inflame the testicles (orchitis), causing severe pain and swelling. While this rarely causes permanent infertility, it can be extremely painful. Females can develop inflammation of the ovaries or breasts. Pregnant women who contract mumps in the first trimester have a higher risk of miscarriage.

Other less common complications include pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), which causes abdominal pain, and myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle). These complications are one reason why preventing mumps through vaccination is so important, especially for people who have not been vaccinated.

The MMR vaccine prevents mumps in most vaccinated people

The mumps vaccine is part of the MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps, and rubella. Two doses of the MMR vaccine prevent mumps in approximately 88 percent of people who receive both doses. One dose provides about 78 percent protection. The vaccine uses a weakened form of the virus that trains the immune system to recognize and fight the real virus without causing the disease.

The first MMR dose is typically given at 12 to 15 months of age, and the second dose at 4 to 6 years old. Older children and adults who were not vaccinated can still receive the vaccine. People born before 1957 are generally considered immune because mumps was so common that most people contracted it naturally. Healthcare providers can check immunity through a blood test if vaccination history is unclear.

Even vaccinated people can occasionally contract mumps, especially if they were only partially vaccinated or if immunity has waned over time. However, vaccinated people who do get mumps typically have milder symptoms and are less likely to develop serious complications. This is why the two-dose schedule is important—it provides stronger, longer-lasting protection than a single dose.

There is no cure; treatment focuses on managing symptoms

Because mumps is a viral infection, antibiotics do not work. There is no antiviral medication that stops the virus once it has started. Instead, treatment is supportive—meaning it helps the body manage symptoms while the immune system clears the infection on its own. Most people recover completely within one to two weeks.

Pain relief can come from over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen, which also reduce fever. Applying ice packs to the swollen glands can numb the pain. Eating soft foods and drinking plenty of fluids helps maintain nutrition and hydration when swallowing is painful. Avoiding acidic foods and drinks (like citrus juice or soda) can reduce discomfort, since these stimulate saliva production and make the swollen glands hurt more.

A person with mumps should stay home and avoid close contact with others for at least five days after the swelling starts. This prevents spreading the virus to unvaccinated people, who are at risk for infection and complications.

Mumps outbreaks still occur in unvaccinated populations

Mumps was once a common childhood disease in the United States, but cases dropped dramatically after the MMR vaccine became available in 1971. However, outbreaks continue to happen in communities with lower vaccination rates. Colleges, workplaces, and schools have all experienced mumps outbreaks in recent years, usually among people who were not vaccinated or only partially vaccinated.

Outbreaks are more likely in settings where people live or work closely together, such as dormitories or shared housing. Even in vaccinated populations, occasional cases occur because no vaccine is 100 percent effective. When outbreaks happen, public health departments may recommend that unvaccinated or partially vaccinated people receive the vaccine or stay home from work or school until they are no longer contagious.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you get mumps more than once?

Mumps infection provides lifelong immunity in most people, so contracting it once usually protects you from getting it again. However, reinfection is possible, though rare. Vaccination also provides long-lasting immunity, though protection may gradually decrease over decades.

How long does it take to recover from mumps?

Most people feel better within one to two weeks. The fever usually drops within a few days, and the gland swelling gradually decreases over seven to ten days. However, some people feel tired or weak for several weeks after the acute illness ends.

Is mumps contagious after the swelling goes down?

A person is generally no longer contagious five days after the swelling starts. However, some people may shed the virus for longer, so staying home for at least five days after swelling begins is the standard recommendation to prevent spread.

What should I do if I think I have mumps?

Contact your doctor or healthcare provider to confirm the diagnosis. They can examine you and may order blood tests if needed. In the meantime, stay home, rest, manage pain with over-the-counter medication, and drink plenty of fluids. Let your healthcare provider know about any severe symptoms like headache with stiff neck or chest pain.

Can adults who were never vaccinated get the mumps vaccine?

Yes, adults can receive the MMR vaccine at any age if they were not vaccinated as children or if their vaccination history is unknown. A healthcare provider can determine whether vaccination is appropriate based on your age and immunity status.