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

Mumps is an infection caused by a virus that spreads from person to person through saliva and respiratory droplets. The hallmark sign is painful swelling of the salivary glands — the glands that produce saliva in your mouth. These glands sit just below and in front of your ears, and when infected, they swell up noticeably on one or both sides of the face. The swelling usually appears three to five days after exposure to the virus and can make chewing and swallowing uncomfortable.

Most people who get mumps recover on their own within a week or two, though the swelling can take longer to go down completely. The infection is preventable through vaccination, which is why mumps has become uncommon in countries with high vaccination rates. However, it still occurs in unvaccinated or partially vaccinated people, and outbreaks can happen in schools, workplaces, or other close-contact settings.

Key Takeaways

  • Mumps causes painful swelling of the salivary glands below the ears, usually on both sides of the face.
  • Symptoms appear three to five days after exposure and include fever, headache, body aches, and loss of appetite along with the gland swelling.
  • Doctors diagnose mumps by recognizing the typical swelling pattern and can confirm it with a blood test or saliva sample.
  • There is no cure for mumps — treatment focuses on managing pain and fever while your immune system clears the infection.
  • The MMR vaccine prevents mumps in most people who receive both doses, and vaccination is the most effective way to avoid the disease.

Symptoms that appear alongside the swollen glands

The swelling of the salivary glands is the most recognizable sign of mumps, but other symptoms usually appear at the same time or shortly before. Most people experience fever, headache, body aches, and a general feeling of tiredness. Loss of appetite is common because swallowing becomes painful when the glands are inflamed.

Some people have only mild symptoms or swelling on just one side of the face, which can make mumps harder to recognize. In rare cases, people carry the virus without showing obvious symptoms at all, though they can still spread it to others. Symptoms typically peak around the third or fourth day and then gradually improve over the next week.

How doctors identify mumps

A doctor can usually recognize mumps by looking at the characteristic swelling pattern — puffy cheeks and a swollen area below the ears on one or both sides. They will ask when the swelling started, whether you have been around anyone with mumps, and whether you have had the MMR vaccine. If the diagnosis is unclear, the doctor can order a blood test or collect a saliva sample to confirm the virus is present.

The blood test looks for antibodies — proteins your immune system makes to fight the mumps virus. A saliva sample can be tested directly for the virus itself. These tests take a few days to return results, but the doctor can usually start treating symptoms right away based on the clinical appearance alone.

Complications that can occur, though they are uncommon

Most people recover from mumps without serious problems, but the virus can occasionally affect other parts of the body. Meningitis — inflammation of the membrane around the brain and spinal cord — occurs in a small number of mumps cases. Symptoms of meningitis include a stiff neck, severe headache, and sensitivity to light, and they require immediate medical attention.

Mumps can also cause inflammation of the pancreas or, in adult men, inflammation of the testicles. Hearing loss is a rare complication that can happen in one or both ears and may be temporary or permanent. Encephalitis — swelling of the brain itself — is very uncommon but serious. These complications are one reason why vaccination is so important: preventing mumps altogether is far safer than treating it after infection.

What to do if you think you have mumps

Contact your doctor as soon as you notice the characteristic swelling, especially if you have fever and body aches along with it. Your doctor can confirm whether it is mumps or another condition causing similar symptoms. While waiting for an appointment, you can manage pain and fever with over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen, following the package directions for your age.

Stay home and avoid close contact with others for at least five days after the swelling appears, since you can spread the virus through saliva and respiratory droplets. Drink plenty of fluids, eat soft foods that do not require much chewing, and rest as much as possible. If you develop a stiff neck, severe headache, or difficulty hearing, seek medical attention right away, as these can signal a complication.

How the MMR vaccine prevents mumps

The MMR vaccine protects against three diseases: measles, mumps, and rubella. It contains a weakened form of the mumps virus that teaches your immune system to recognize and fight the real virus if you are ever exposed. Two doses of the MMR vaccine provide strong protection — studies show it prevents mumps in about 88 percent of people who receive both doses.

The vaccine is given as two shots: the first dose at 12 to 15 months of age and the second dose at 4 to 6 years old. Some people may need additional doses depending on their age, health history, or whether they were vaccinated before. If you are unsure whether you have been vaccinated, your doctor can check your vaccination records or do a blood test to see if you have immunity.

Why mumps still occurs in some communities

Even though the MMR vaccine is highly effective, mumps outbreaks still happen in areas where vaccination rates are lower. Pockets of unvaccinated people create opportunities for the virus to spread, and it can move quickly through schools or other settings where people spend time together. Outbreaks have occurred even in vaccinated populations when the virus is introduced and spreads rapidly before people realize what is happening.

Some people choose not to vaccinate for personal or religious reasons, and a small number cannot receive the vaccine due to severe allergies or certain medical conditions. When vaccination rates drop below a certain threshold in a community, the virus finds enough unprotected people to cause an outbreak. This is why public health officials track vaccination rates and monitor for mumps cases — early detection can help slow the spread.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you get mumps more than once?

Immunity after mumps infection is usually lifelong, so most people who have had the disease do not get it again. However, reinfection is possible in rare cases, particularly if the first infection was mild or if immunity fades over time. Vaccination provides similar long-lasting protection.

Is mumps contagious before the swelling appears?

Yes. People can spread mumps to others for about two days before the swelling starts and for five days after it appears. This means you may be contagious without knowing you have mumps, which is why the virus spreads easily in close-contact settings.

What should I do if I was exposed to someone with mumps?

Contact your doctor to discuss whether you need testing or monitoring. If you are unvaccinated or unsure of your vaccination status, ask about getting the MMR vaccine. Watch for symptoms over the next three weeks, and stay away from others if you develop fever, body aches, or swelling near your ears.

Can adults get mumps?

Yes, adults can get mumps if they are unvaccinated or were vaccinated only once. Adults who get mumps often have more severe symptoms and are at higher risk for complications like testicular inflammation or meningitis. Vaccination is recommended for adults born in 1957 or later who have not been vaccinated or whose vaccination status is unknown.

How long does it take to recover from mumps?

The swelling and fever usually improve within a week, though some people feel tired for another week or two. The gland swelling can take two to three weeks to disappear completely. Most people are back to normal activities within two to three weeks, though they should avoid strenuous exercise until fully recovered.