Exposure to the virus usually occurs 14 to 21 days before any symptoms appear. The most common symptom is painful swelling in front of and below the ears. Often, there is pain when eating or moving the jaw. Some people have headaches, loss of appetite, fever, and a tired feeling about a day before the swelling. Usually, one side of the face swells before the other.
Mumps is a contagious disease spread by contact with the saliva of someone who has the disease.
The disease is contagious until all the swelling is gone. It occurs year-round, but is more common in the Winter and Spring months. Mumps can last about 7 to 10 days. However, the length of the illness varies. Eat soft foods such as oatmeal, bananas, pasta, potatoes, eggs, Jello, cooked vegetables, applesauce, tender cooked meat like poultry, as they do not require a lot of chewing.