These glands are located on either side of the face, below the ears. Mumps is caused by the mumps virus. Mumps is spread from person to person through direct contact with saliva and discharges from the nose and throat of infected persons. Mumps can be spread by coughing, sneezing, or even talking. The main symptoms are severe swelling and soreness of the cheeks and jaw.
Mumps usually starts with neck or ear pain, loss of appetite, tiredness, headache, and low fever.
About a third of persons infected with the mumps virus have no symptoms. Symptoms usually start 18 days after infection with the virus, but the time can range from 12 to 25 days. Mumps can be diagnosed by a blood test or culture. Persons who have not been immunized against mumps are the main risk group. Unvaccinated school-aged children are most at risk.