What You Should Know About. . .
Mumps is a generalized acute viral disease caused by the mumps virus.
More rarely, the pancreas, reproductive organs, and the brain can be affected. Anyone not previously vaccinated with at least one dose of a mumps containing vaccine on or after the first birthday or who has not developed mumps previously is susceptible. Mumps outbreaks have occurred in settings where large numbers of children or young adults congregate in close contact such as schools, child care centers, military services, colleges, and other institutions. A susceptible person becomes infected with mumps after being exposed to an infected person's respiratory droplets or saliva. One third of persons have inapparent or no symptoms.