Mumps is a viral infection that causes swelling in the glands below your jaw

Mumps is an infection caused by a virus that spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus attacks the salivary glands — the glands that make saliva in your mouth — causing them to swell and become painful. This swelling typically appears on both sides of the face, below the ears and jaw, and is often the first sign that someone has mumps.

The infection can also affect other parts of the body, including the brain, hearing, and reproductive organs, though these complications are less common. Most people recover fully from mumps within a few weeks, but the illness can be serious in some cases. The mumps vaccine, given as part of the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) shot, prevents the infection in most people who receive it.

Key Takeaways

  • Mumps causes painful swelling of the salivary glands on both sides of the face, usually appearing 2 to 3 weeks after exposure to the virus.
  • The infection spreads through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes, and people are contagious for about a week before symptoms start and a week after.
  • Doctors diagnose mumps by recognizing the characteristic swelling and can confirm it with a blood test or saliva sample.
  • There is no cure for mumps itself, but treatment focuses on managing pain and fever while your immune system fights the infection.
  • The MMR vaccine prevents mumps in approximately 88 percent of people who receive both doses, and vaccination is the most effective way to avoid the infection.

How mumps spreads and who gets it

Mumps spreads when tiny droplets from an infected person's mouth or nose travel through the air and land in another person's nose, mouth, or lungs. This happens when someone coughs, sneezes, or even talks. You can catch mumps by being in the same room as an infected person, or by touching surfaces they have touched and then touching your own face.

A person with mumps is most contagious from about 2 days before the swelling appears until about 5 days after it starts. This means someone can spread the virus without knowing they have mumps yet. People who have not been vaccinated or who have not had mumps before are at highest risk of infection. The infection can occur at any age, but it was most common in children before the MMR vaccine became routine.

Symptoms that appear 2 to 3 weeks after exposure

The first sign of mumps is usually swelling of the salivary glands, which causes the characteristic puffy cheeks and jaw appearance. This swelling is tender to the touch and makes chewing and swallowing painful. The swelling typically appears on both sides of the face at the same time, though it can start on one side and spread to the other.

Other symptoms often appear alongside the swelling and may include fever, headache, body aches, tiredness, and loss of appetite. Some people also experience ear pain or difficulty eating solid foods. Symptoms usually develop 2 to 3 weeks after a person is exposed to the mumps virus, though this can range from 12 to 25 days. Most people feel better within a week, though the swelling can take longer to go away completely.

How doctors identify mumps

A doctor can usually recognize mumps by examining the characteristic swelling of the salivary glands and asking about recent exposure to the virus. The doctor will also ask about your vaccination history and whether you have had mumps before. If the diagnosis is unclear, the doctor can order a blood test or take a saliva sample to confirm the virus is present.

The blood test looks for antibodies — proteins your immune system makes to fight the virus — or detects the virus itself. A saliva sample can be tested using a method called RT-PCR, which identifies the genetic material of the mumps virus. These tests are most accurate when done early in the illness, within the first few days of symptoms appearing.

Complications that can develop in some cases

While most people recover from mumps without serious problems, the infection can sometimes affect other parts of the body. Meningitis — inflammation of the membrane surrounding the brain and spinal cord — occurs in a small number of mumps cases and causes severe headache, stiff neck, and sensitivity to light. Encephalitis, which is inflammation of the brain itself, is rarer but more serious.

Mumps can also cause hearing loss, which may be temporary or permanent. In males who have mumps after puberty, the infection can cause swelling of the testicles, which is painful but usually does not cause permanent infertility. Females can develop swelling of the ovaries, though this is less common. Pancreatitis — inflammation of the pancreas — can occur but is also uncommon. Most of these complications resolve on their own, though some require hospital care.

Treatment focuses on managing symptoms while your body fights the infection

There is no medicine that kills the mumps virus, so treatment is aimed at making you more comfortable while your immune system clears the infection. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen can reduce fever and ease the pain from swollen glands. Rest is important — your body needs energy to fight the infection, so staying home and limiting activity helps you recover faster.

Drinking plenty of fluids helps prevent dehydration, especially if fever is present. Soft foods and cool drinks may be easier to swallow than hot or hard foods. A warm or cold compress applied to the swollen glands can provide temporary relief. Most people are well enough to return to normal activities within a week or two, though some fatigue may linger.

Prevention through the MMR vaccine

The MMR vaccine is the most effective way to prevent mumps. It is a live attenuated vaccine, meaning it contains a weakened form of the virus that teaches your immune system to recognize and fight the real virus without causing the full illness. The vaccine is given in two doses: the first at 12 to 15 months of age and the second at 4 to 6 years old.

Two doses of the MMR vaccine prevent mumps in approximately 88 percent of people who receive them. One dose provides about 78 percent protection. People who received the vaccine before 1989 may have received a less effective version, and some of these individuals have developed mumps despite vaccination. If you are unsure whether you were vaccinated or how many doses you received, a blood test can check your immunity, and you can receive additional doses if needed.

What to do if you think you have mumps

If you develop the characteristic swelling of the salivary glands along with fever and body aches, contact your doctor. Do not go to the doctor's office without calling first — tell them you may have mumps so they can take steps to prevent spreading the infection to other patients. Your doctor may ask you to come at a specific time or use a separate entrance.

While waiting to see your doctor, stay home and avoid close contact with others, especially people who have not been vaccinated or who are pregnant. Wash your hands frequently and cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze. If you have severe headache, stiff neck, confusion, or difficulty hearing, seek immediate medical care, as these could indicate a serious complication.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you get mumps more than once?

No, mumps infection provides lifelong immunity in most cases. Once you have had mumps, your immune system remembers the virus and protects you from infection in the future. Reinfection is extremely rare.

Is mumps still common today?

Mumps is much less common in countries with high vaccination rates, but outbreaks still occur, particularly among unvaccinated groups or in settings where people live closely together. Globally, mumps remains a significant cause of illness in areas with low vaccination coverage.

Can pregnant women get mumps?

Yes, pregnant women can get mumps if they are not vaccinated or immune. Mumps in the first trimester may increase the risk of miscarriage, though birth defects directly caused by mumps are rare. Pregnant women should not receive the MMR vaccine because it contains a live virus, but they should be vaccinated before becoming pregnant if they are not already immune.

How long does it take to recover from mumps?

Most people recover within 1 to 2 weeks, though the swelling can take longer to disappear completely. Some people experience fatigue for several weeks after the acute illness ends. Recovery time varies depending on the severity of infection and whether complications develop.

What should I do if someone in my household has mumps?

Keep the infected person separated from others as much as possible, especially unvaccinated people and those at high risk for complications. Wash hands frequently, do not share eating utensils or drinks, and clean surfaces the infected person has touched. The person with mumps should stay home for at least 5 days after the swelling appears.