Mumps

Mumps | NHS inform Home Illnesses and conditions Symptoms and self-help Tests and treatments Healthy living Care, support and rights Scotlands Service Directory 0 Home Illnesses and conditions Infections and poisoning Mumps 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 youre 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 38C (100.4F), or above These may develop a few days before the swelling of the parotid glands. Sometimes, mumps doesnt cause any noticeable symptoms. Phone your GP if: you think you or your child might have mumps youve been in close contact with someone who has mumps and youre pregnant, and havent 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 its higher than normal If your GP suspects mumps, they should notify your local health protection team (HPT). Whos affected? Most cases of mumps occur in people aged between 17 and 34 who have not received 2 doses of the MMR vaccine . Once youve had mumps, your body builds up resistance (immunity) to the virus. Its highly unlikely youll 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 isnt 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 havent 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 shouldnt be given to children under 16 apply a warm or cool compress to the swollen glands to help relieve pain eat foods that dont 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 persons 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. Source: NHS 24 - Opens in new browser window Last updated: 11 January 2024 How can we improve this page? Help us improve NHS inform Thank You Your feedback has been received Dont include personal information e.g. name, location or any personal health conditions. Email Address e.g. you@example.com Message Maximum of 500 characters Send feedback Add this page to\n            Info For Me Also on NHS inform MMR vaccine NHS inform About NHS inform Editorial policy Contact us Webchat Give feedback about NHS inform Info for Me tool Terms and conditions Privacy and cookies policy Freedom of information (FOI) Accessibility Other languages and formats  2023 NHS 24  v1.1.1.17852