Mumps, an infection that used to be a common childhood illness, is now rare. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were only 436 cases reported in the U.S. in 2023. The reason that number was so low is because the two-dose MMR vaccine helps prevent mumps and has decreased cases by 99% since the vaccine program was introduced in 1967. But even with the vaccine, getting mumps is still possible.

Keep reading to learn what mumps is and how it’s caused. We’ll also cover common mumps symptoms, how it’s diagnosed, how to prevent it and treatment options if you get mumps.

What is mumps and what causes it?

Mumps is a viral infection transmitted through saliva (spit) that is part of a family of viruses called paramyxoviruses, which usually infect the nose, throat, ear and lower respiratory tract.

Mumps can cause various symptoms, and they can range from mild to severe. Symptoms usually go away on their own in about 10 days. But in some cases, especially in adults, it can cause severe complications that affect different areas of the body.

Mumps are extremely contagious

Mumps is spread through saliva through:

  • Coughing, sneezing or talking, where droplets of saliva are released into the air
  • Sharing food or drinks that have saliva on them
  • Participating in activities where you’re in close contact with people
  • Touching contaminated surfaces

One of the reasons that mumps is so contagious is because an infected person can spread the virus 2-3 days before they notice any symptoms. In addition, a person can still be contagious for up to five days after symptoms start.

Symptoms of mumps to look for

An incubation period is the time it takes for an infection to develop after you’ve been exposed to it. Mumps have an average incubation period of 16-18 days, so mumps symptoms don’t usually start right away. Plus, it can take 2-3 weeks to experience symptoms after you’ve been exposed.

If you experience symptoms, they’re typically very mild, so you may not even know you’re infected, especially if you’ve been fully vaccinated against mumps.

The first signs of mumps: Cold- and flu-like symptoms

When someone first notices symptoms, they may think they’re coming down with a run-of-the-mill cold or the flu. Symptoms can include:

  • Fever
  • Fatigue
  • Headache
  • Loss of appetite
  • Muscle aches

The most common symptom of mumps is the swelling of your parotid glands, part of your salivary glands, which are located between your ear and your jaw. This swelling, called parotitis, occurs in around 70% of mumps cases, and can affect one or both parotid glands.

Parotid glands are usually the only glands affected with mumps. While it’s rare, mumps can cause swelling in your other salivary glands as well.

Symptoms of parotitis caused by mumps can include:

  • Pain and tenderness in the cheeks and jaw
  • Swelling of one or both of the parotid salivary glands, which are located in the cheek and jaw areas
  • Swelling in the other salivary glands under the floor of your mouth, although this is less common

What mumps look like if you have swollen salivary glands

With painful swelling of the glands being the most recognizable symptom of mumps, that swelling can make your cheeks and jaw appear puffy. Some describe the swelling as looking like “chipmunk cheeks” or like a hamster’s plump face.

More serious mumps symptoms that need medical attention

In some cases, more serious mumps symptoms may occur, which can be more common in those who haven’t been vaccinated. If you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms in addition to any of those listed above, call your doctor right away:

  • High fever of 103°F (39°C) or higher
  • Seizures
  • Severe headache
  • Stiff neck
  • Stomach pain
  • Vomiting

How mumps is diagnosed

A primary care doctor or clinician can make an official diagnosis based on your symptoms, a short physical exam, and potential exposure to the mumps virus.

They may then order a buccal swab, which is a sample from the inside of your cheek, to be analyzed in a lab for the virus. A throat swab, or blood or urine tests can also be used to detect the mumps virus, but a buccal swab is the more common testing method.

Since mumps symptoms are very similar to other viruses, like the flu or the common cold, it’s important to get tested for mumps if you think you’ve been exposed.

Possible complications mumps can cause in adults and adolescents

Occasionally, mumps can cause various complications, especially in adults. It’s rare, but complications can lead to permanent and even life-threatening conditions, such as:

  • Pain and swelling of the testicles in adult and adolescent males, which can lead to a permanent decrease in the size of the testicles
  • Inflammation and pain in the ovaries of adolescent and adult females
  • Mastitis, an inflammation of breast tissue
  • Hearing loss that may become permanent
  • Pancreatitis (swelling of the pancreas)
  • Meningitis, which is an infection and inflammation of the membranes and fluid covering the brain and spinal cord
  • Encephalitis (swelling of the brain)

How can mumps be prevented? By getting vaccinated.

According to the CDC, before the U.S. mumps vaccination program started in 1967, about 186,000 cases of mumps were reported each year. Since the pre-vaccine era, there has been a more than 99% decrease in mumps cases in the U.S. That’s why getting vaccinated, following the recommended vaccine schedule for your child and staying current with vaccines, is so important.

The mumps vaccine is part of two different vaccines, both of which are safe and effective in helping to protect you from illness:

  • MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) – This vaccine can be given to adults and children.
  • MMRV (measles, mumps, rubella and varicella [chicken pox]) – This combined vaccine is typically given to children 4 years old and older. Before the age of four, kids receive an MMR dose and a varicella dose separately.

Most children get MMR as part of their regular vaccination schedule. You likely received an MMR vaccination when you were 12 to 15 months old, with a follow-up booster at ages 4 through 6 years old.

Once you’ve been fully vaccinated, you’re considered to have lifelong immunity to mumps, so you usually don’t need a booster shot as an adult. If you have concerns or questions about a previous MMR vaccination, speak with your doctor. They can advise if further vaccination is necessary.

Treatment options for mumps

There isn’t a specific treatment for mumps, but in most cases, you can recover with rest and care at home. But with more severe cases, hospitalization may be needed to help control your symptoms and avoid complications. Speak with your doctor about which treatment options they recommend. These may include:

  • Taking over-the-counter medications that help relieve fever or headache
  • Using an ice pack or a heat pack on swollen, painful areas
  • Drinking extra fluids to help reduce your fever and prevent dehydration
  • Sucking on ice chips or flavored ice pops
  • Eating soft foods that don’t need to be chewed
  • Avoiding sour foods and liquids

Take precautions when it comes to mumps

Understanding what mumps is and how it’s spread is helpful in preventing mumps, and getting the MMR vaccine is an easy way to protect yourself. If you think you or your child has been exposed to mumps, even if you’re not experiencing symptoms, make an appointment with a primary care doctor. They can help you determine next steps and if you should get tested.