Mumps Mumps is a highly contagious viral infection that causes painful swelling of the salivary glands. The glands most commonly infected are in front of and below the ears. Occasionally the glands under the jaw are also infected. The virus which causes mumps is spread through the saliva from an infected person to a non-infected person. The infection can happen with coughing, sneezing, or sharing drinking or eating utensils.
Mumps usually begins with a low fever, headache, stomach ache, loss of appetite and listlessness.
Within a day of these symptoms starting, pain usually begins around the ear lobe of one ear. Chewing becomes painful and swelling begins in the area just below and in front of the ear. This swelling increases for the next day or two. The same symptoms may appear on the other side of the face the next day, and the face may look round in shape from the swelling. The fever caused by mumps usually lasts 3 to 4 days, while the swelling and pain usually last 7 to 8 days.