Mumps

Mumps is an infection that spreads easily. It used to be common in children before the introduction of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine.

Mumps usually clears within 1 or 2 weeks.

Symptoms of mumps

The symptoms of mumps usually develop 14 to 25 days after you’re infected.

Mumps causes painful swellings at the side of the face under the ears (the parotid glands). It gives a distinctive ‘hamster face’ appearance.

Other symptoms of mumps can include:

headaches
joint pain
feeling sick
dry mouth
mild stomach (abdominal) pain
feeling tired
loss of appetite
a high temperature (fever) of 38°C (100.4°F), or above

These may develop a few days before the swelling of the parotid glands.

Sometimes, mumps doesn’t cause any noticeable symptoms.

Phone your GP if:

you think you or your child might have mumps
you’ve been in close contact with someone who has mumps and you’re pregnant, and haven’t been fully vaccinated

Mumps is not usually serious, but it has similar symptoms to more serious types of infection, such as glandular fever and tonsillitis.

You should phone your GP first before visiting. They can make arrangements to reduce the risk of spreading the infection to others.

Diagnosing mumps

Your GP can usually make a diagnosis after:

seeing and feeling the swelling
looking at the position of the tonsils in the mouth
checking your temperature to see if it’s higher than normal

If your GP suspects mumps, they should notify your local health protection unit (HPU). The HPU will arrange for a sample of saliva to be tested to confirm or rule out the diagnosis.

Who’s affected?

Most cases of mumps occur in people aged between 17 and 34 who have not received 2 doses of the MMR vaccine.

Once you’ve had mumps, your body builds up resistance (immunity) to the virus. It’s highly unlikely you’ll get it again.

How mumps is spread

The mumps virus is contained in tiny droplets that come out of the nose and mouth when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

You can easily catch mumps by breathing in these droplets. Or, if the droplets have settled on a surface, by touching the surface and then placing your hands near your nose or mouth.

A person is most contagious a few days before the symptoms develop and for a few days afterwards.

How to prevent spreading mumps to others

If you have mumps:

stay off school or work for at least 5 days after your symptoms first develop
regularly wash your hands with soap
use and dispose of tissues when you sneeze
avoid close contact with anyone who isn’t fully vaccinated

How mumps can be prevented

Mumps can be prevented by having the MMR vaccine.

This is given in 2 doses as part of the NHS childhood vaccination programme.

You can be vaccinated at any age if you haven’t been fully vaccinated before.

Treatment for mumps

There are things you can do to help relieve your symptoms.

Do

get plenty of bed rest
drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration
use pain relief such as paracetamol or ibuprofen – aspirin shouldn’t be given to children under 16
apply a warm or cool compress to the swollen glands to help relieve pain
eat foods that don’t need a lot of chewing, such as soup, mashed potatoes and scrambled eggs

Complications of mumps

Mumps usually passes without causing serious damage to a person’s health. Serious complications are rare.

However, mumps can lead to viral meningitis if the virus moves into the outer layer of the brain. Other complications include swelling of the testicles in males or the ovaries in females if the affected person has gone through puberty.

About 1 in 20 cases of mumps lead to acute pancreatitis. This is usually mild, but you may be admitted to hospital so your body functions can be supported until your pancreas recovers.

About 1 in 20 people with mumps experience some temporary hearing loss, but permanent loss of hearing is rare.