Mumps is an acute viral disease characterized by fever, swelling and tenderness of one or more of the salivary glands. Although older people may contract the disease, mumps usually occurs in children between the ages of five and 15. Mumps occurs less regularly than other common childhood communicable diseases. The greatest risk of infection occurs among older children.
Mumps is more common during winter and spring.
Mumps is transmitted by direct contact with saliva and discharges from the nose and throat of infected individuals. Approximately one-third of infected people do not exhibit symptoms. The incubation period is usually 16 to 18 days, although it may vary from 14 to 25 days. Swelling of the testicles occurs in 15-25 percent of infected males. Other complications include arthritis, kidney involvement, inflammation of the thyroid gland and breasts and deafness.