Mumps: Facts & Information

Protect yourself from Mumps – Learn about symptoms, causes, treatment, and prevention of this disease.

mumps

It is a contagious viral infection that can cause fever, headache, and swelling of the salivary glands – best known for the puffy cheeks and tender, swollen jaw that it causes.

Symptoms typically appear 16-18 days after infection, but this period can range from 12–25 days after infection.

  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Muscle aches
  • Tiredness
  • Loss of appetite

It is spread through direct contact with saliva or respiratory droplets from the mouth, nose, or throat. An infected person can spread the virus by:

  • coughing, sneezing, or talking
  • sharing items that may have saliva on them, such as water bottles or cups
  • participating in close-contact activities with others, such as playing sports, dancing, or kissing
  • A vaccine is the best way to decrease your child’s risk of getting sick.
  • Healthcare providers usually administer the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine as a combination vaccine that protects against three diseases.

The MMR vaccine is safe and effective. A person with two doses of MMR vaccine has about an 88% reduction in risk; a person with one dose has a 78% reduction in risk.

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