Mumps: Facts & Information
Protect yourself from Mumps – Learn about symptoms, causes, treatment, and prevention of this disease.
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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Resources: Center for Disease Control and Prevention