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Mumps is a disease caused by the mumps virus. Mumps was a common childhood disease before vaccination. Now it is more common in young adults.
Mumps can cause serious illness, such as inflammation of the brain (encephalitis), which can lead to convulsions or brain damage. About 1 in 20 people with mumps gets mumps meningitis, an infection of the lining of the brain. Mumps can also cause temporary deafness. Permanent deafness occurs in less than 5 in 100,000 people who get mumps.
About 1 in 4 adult men and post-pubertal boys with mumps develop painful swelling of the testicles. One in 20 women develops swelling of the ovaries. Both of these conditions are temporary and rarely result in permanent damage or sterility.
Mumps infection in the early stage of pregnancy may increase the rate of miscarriage. Mumps does not appear to cause birth defects.
The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine provides protection against mumps and is part of the routine childhood vaccine program. For more information, see BC HealthFile #14a Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine.
Mumps is contagious and spreads easily. Mumps is spread by contact with respiratory secretions like saliva. Sharing food, drinks or cigarettes, or kissing someone who has the virus can also put you at risk. When an infected person coughs or sneezes, the virus spreads through droplets in the air. You can be exposed to the virus even if you are a few feet away from someone with mumps.
Symptoms may include fever, aches and pains, headaches, and swelling of the salivary glands, especially the parotid glands that are at the side of the cheeks.
Up to 1 in 5 people with mumps do not have any symptoms. About 1 in 3 people with mumps do not have salivary gland swelling. However, they can still spread the mumps virus to other people.
Symptoms can appear from 16 to 25 days after a person is infected with the mumps virus. A person with mumps can spread the virus to others from 7 days before to 9 days after symptoms develop.
If you have been in contact with someone with mumps, and you were born after 1970 and have not been vaccinated, you should contact your local public health unit. You will be advised to receive one dose of MMR vaccine to protect you against mumps in the future.
If you have swollen salivary glands and especially if you have been in contact with a person with mumps or traveled to an areas with a mumps outbreak, have yourself examined by a doctor. Bring your immunization record with you. A physical examination, blood test, and swab of your salivary glands inside your mouth or a urine sample will be collected to make the diagnosis of mumps. Avoid making contact with new people for 9 days after your symptoms start, and avoid sharing your saliva with your household and other close contacts to prevent them from getting infected.
After seeing a doctor, the following home treatment tips may help you to be more comfortable while you rest and recover.
