Mumps

Overview

Mumps is an infection caused by the mumps virus. The virus mainly attacks the parotid glands (the large spit-making glands in front of the ears, just above the jaw). These glands swell and become sore, which gives the face a puffy, 'hamster-cheek' look. The swelling may be on one side or both sides, and other spit glands under the jaw can swell too.

The virus spreads in droplets from coughs and sneezes, through spit, and by sharing cups, cutlery, towels or bedding. Symptoms usually appear about two and a half weeks after catching it, though this can be anywhere from 12 to 25 days. A person can pass the virus on from about 2 days before the swelling starts until 5 days after. Up to one in three infected people have no symptoms but can still spread it.

Most people recover fully. Swelling usually peaks within 1 to 3 days and settles over about a week. There is no medicine that kills the mumps virus, so treatment is about rest, fluids and easing pain. Complications are more common in teenagers and adults. Vaccinated people can still catch mumps, especially in crowded places such as hostels and colleges, but they are much less likely to become seriously ill. WHO notes that the pattern of mumps has changed in countries that have brought in mumps vaccination.

Symptoms

• Painful swelling of one or both cheeks and the side of the neck, often getting worse over a few days
• Earache, or pain when chewing, swallowing or talking
• Fever (high temperature), often starting a few days before the swelling
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Tiredness and feeling generally unwell
• Poor appetite
• Some people only have cold-like symptoms, or no symptoms at all

Causes and risk factors

Causes

• Infection with the mumps virus (a paramyxovirus); humans are its only natural host
• Breathing in droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks close by
• Contact with an infected person's spit, for example by sharing cups, spoons or food
• Sharing towels, bedding or clothes with someone who has mumps

What makes it more likely

• Not being vaccinated against mumps, or not having had the full vaccine course
• Living, studying or working in crowded, close-contact places such as hostels, colleges and boarding schools
• Close contact with someone who has mumps, for example in the same household
• Vaccine protection fading many years after vaccination
• A weak immune system
• Travel to places where mumps is spreading

Complications

Most people with mumps have no lasting problems, but complications can happen, more often in teenagers and adults. The most common in males after puberty is orchitis (painful swelling of one or both testicles). In about half of these cases the testicle shrinks afterwards, and some men may have lower fertility. Females can get swelling of the ovaries or breasts. Other complications include viral meningitis (swelling of the lining around the brain), pancreatitis (swelling of the pancreas, causing tummy or back pain) and hearing loss, which is usually temporary and in one ear. Rare but serious complications include encephalitis (swelling of the brain), seizures, and heart or kidney inflammation. Complications can happen even when the cheeks are not swollen.

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Diagnosis

A doctor usually suspects mumps from the typical swollen cheeks, especially when there is fever, aches and tiredness, or contact with someone who has mumps. During an outbreak, the diagnosis is often made from the symptoms alone. Call the clinic before you go, so you do not pass the virus to others in the waiting room.

To confirm mumps, a swab is rubbed inside the cheek, and the sample is tested with RT-PCR (a test that finds the virus's genetic material). The swab works best when taken within the first few days of swelling. If several days have passed, a blood test for antibodies (IgM) may also be done. A negative test does not fully rule out mumps, especially in vaccinated people. If complications are suspected, urine or spinal fluid may also be tested. Doctors also think about other causes of swollen cheeks, such as other viruses, bacterial gland infections, salivary stones or a dental abscess. Doctors may report mumps cases to public health authorities.

Treatment

1. Rest at home and drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration
2. Ease pain, fever and swelling with paracetamol or ibuprofen; your doctor or pharmacist decides the dose. Do not give aspirin to children under 16
3. Hold a warm or cool cloth gently against the swollen cheeks and neck for comfort
4. Stay away from school, work and other people until 5 days after the swelling started, wash hands often and do not share cups, cutlery or towels
5. For swollen testicles, a doctor may advise supporting and raising the scrotum and using cold packs, along with painkillers
6. Get urgent medical help for any warning sign, such as a very bad headache, stiff neck, tummy pain or swollen testicles

Medicines in Pakistan

Medicines a doctor may use, by group. Read the role: some are only for special cases. Each link opens our page for that medicine, with every brand and its official DRAP price. Your doctor decides which medicine and dose are right for you.

Self-care and prevention

Self-care

• Rest and drink plenty of water
• Use a warm or cool cloth on the swollen cheeks for comfort
• Stay at home until 5 days after the swelling began
• Wash hands often, and cough or sneeze into a tissue and throw it away
• Do not share cups, cutlery, towels or bedding
• Do not let anyone massage the swollen glands; this is unproven and may cause harm

Prevention

• Get vaccinated with a mumps-containing vaccine (MMR); ask your doctor or a vaccination centre if you are not sure you are protected
• Keep a person with mumps away from school, work and others until 5 days after the swelling started
• Wash hands often and use tissues for coughs and sneezes
• Do not share cups, cutlery, towels or bedding with someone who has mumps
• If you have been in close contact with someone with mumps and are not sure you are protected, contact your doctor for advice

Common questions

How long is mumps contagious?

A person with mumps can spread the virus from about 2 days before the swelling starts until 5 days after. That is why they should stay off school or work for at least 5 days after the swelling begins. People with no symptoms can also spread it.

Is there a medicine that cures mumps?

No. There is no specific medicine that kills the mumps virus. Treatment is rest, fluids and painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen while the body clears the infection, and the swelling usually settles within one to two weeks.

Can mumps cause infertility?

Mumps can cause orchitis (swollen testicles) in males after puberty. The testicle may shrink afterwards, and some men may have lower fertility. Swelling of the ovaries can happen in females but is rare. See a doctor urgently if the testicles become painful or swollen.

Can you get mumps if you have been vaccinated?

Yes, but it is much less likely, and vaccinated people usually have a milder illness with fewer complications. Outbreaks can still happen among vaccinated young people living in close contact, such as in hostels or colleges. If you are not sure whether you are protected, ask your doctor.

Is mumps dangerous in pregnancy?

Mumps is usually no more severe in pregnant women than in other adults, and recent studies have not found higher rates of miscarriage or early birth. Still, tell your doctor or midwife if you are pregnant and think you have mumps or have been near someone with it. The MMR vaccine is not given during pregnancy.

Sources

1. NHS. Mumps - NHS (n.d.).
2. CDC. Clinical Overview of Mumps | Mumps | CDC (n.d.).
3. CDC (National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases). Mumps (clinical diagnosis fact sheet) (2024).
4. WHO (Weekly Epidemiological Record). Mumps virus vaccines: WHO Position Paper, March 2024 (2024).
5. StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf). Mumps - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf (2024).
6. Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association. Mumps treatment by quacks in Pakistan: A neglected danger to public health (2024).
7. Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association. MUMPS OUTBREAK IN HOSTEL (1992).

Prepared from the sources listed below by the MedInfoBase team. Last reviewed 16 October 2026. This page is general health information, not medical advice. It gives no doses and does not replace a doctor: talk to your doctor or pharmacist before starting, stopping or changing any medicine. How we write and check our pages.

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