Mumps is spread by direct contact with saliva and discharges from the nose and throat of infected persons. Mumps complications are rare but can be serious. Mumps is preventable through immunization. Mumps is a very contagious infection of one or more of the salivary glands. 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.