Mumps in Children Mumps is caused by the mumps virus. Although mumps does not usually cause serious long term problems, the acute symptoms, such as severe swelling of the salivary glands under the jaw bone, can be very uncomfortable. Mumps is spread from person to person through direct contact with saliva, secretions from the respiratory tract, and urine of an infected person. Mumps is vaccine-preventable. Adults born before 1957 are considered to be immune.
Adults are more likely to have serious complications if they become infected than children.
Adults exposed to the mumps virus should review their immunization records, and consult a physician if the immunizations are incomplete. Exposure to the virus in the first trimester of pregnancy may increase the rate of spontaneous abortion. Exclude the infected child from contact with other children until 9 days after the swelling begins, or until the swelling subsides. Make sure all children and adults in your household follow good hand washing practices. Those not adequately vaccinated should be referred to their physicians.