Communicable Diseases and Epidemiology
Mumps fact sheet
Mumps is a viral infection that causes fever, headache, and swelling and tenderness of the salivary glands (below the ear).
Most adults born before 1957 have been infected naturally and are probably immune. Mumps can occur in unimmunized children, or adolescents and young adults who graduated from school prior to the law requiring mumps immunization.
- About 1/3 of people have no symptoms.
- Others can have swollen glands (swollen cheeks), headache, fever, and earache.
- The first symptoms usually appear 16 to 18 days after exposure. It begins with fever and pain upon opening the mouth or eating.
- Possible complications include meningitis (swelling of the covering of the brain and spinal cord), encephalitis (swelling of the brain), deafness, and in adult males, swelling of the testicles.
- The virus may cause a miscarriage if a woman becomes infected during the first three months of pregnancy.
- The mumps virus is found most often in saliva. It is spread by direct contact or by droplets through sneezes and coughs.
- Mumps is most easily spread 48 hours before the symptoms begin.
- The best way to prevent mumps is to be vaccinated against it.
- Washington State Immunization law requires that all children have a record of immunization against mumps.
- The mumps vaccine is given in one injection together with the measles and rubella vaccines, known as MMR vaccine.
- The vaccine is given to toddlers at 12 to 15 months of age.
- Most people who get the vaccine will not experience any side effects. In rare instances, some swelling of the glands in the cheeks and under the jaw may appear, lasting for a few days. This could happen from one to two weeks following the shot.
- Teenagers and adults who do not know if they are protected against mumps should ask their doctor, nurse or clinic about the MMR vaccine.
- If you or your child develops symptoms of mumps, consult your health care provider for diagnosis.
- The swelling caused by mumps usually goes away in about ten days.
- Acetaminophen (for example, Tylenol) can be used to reduce the discomfort and fever.
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Plain Talk About Child Immunizations
Facts about  childhood immunization; vaccine preventable disease, vaccine safety, the immune system and how vaccines work, legal requirements, and more.
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