Mumps Symptoms: A Guide for New Parents

You’ve probably heard about the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine that can protect people from mumps. However, from 2007 through 2019, one in every three people in the United States who had mumps were children and teens—and as many as 94% were already vaccinated.

So far, in 2024, 183 people reported getting the mumps virus. So, while the MMR vaccine effectively prevents mumps, you can still get it, and no one is sure why.

However, the best way to prevent mumps is by getting a vaccination for them. We spoke with Amanda Joy, a physician assistant, to tell us more about the common symptoms of mumps, what can happen if you or your child is exposed to the virus and the importance of being fully vaccinated against mumps to protect yourself and others.

What is mumps?

Mumps is a contagious illness that’s caused by the mumps virus. The virus attacks the glands on the sides of your face that make saliva, called the parotid glands, and can cause painful swelling.

“Mumps occurs worldwide typically in the late winter to early spring, although sporadic outbreaks occur at any time of year,” says Joy. She adds that it’s most common in school-aged children and young adults in their college years. Rarely, Joy says, do mumps affect babies under one year old because of the protection they receive during pregnancy.

You can catch mumps breathing in respiratory droplets and from direct physical contact. It’s highly contagious and can spread quickly through households, college dorms and summer camps, explains Joy, saying the most contagious period is before symptoms start. This can make it difficult to isolate from others.

What are the symptoms of mumps?

The classic sign of mumps is “chipmunk cheeks” because the salivary glands swell, making the cheeks plump up. Known as the medical term parotitis, this swelling can cause pain, which can start in the ear before the swelling happens, explains Joy.

This swelling often starts on just one side of the face over the jawline. A few days later, both sides are probably swollen, adds Joy. “Around 10% of patients only get swelling on one side,” she says, lasting up to 10 days.

But 48 hours prior, says Joy, other symptoms usually start. Initial symptoms you might notice before any gland swelling can include:

• Fever, which might come on suddenly and can last for several days
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Not feeling hungry or not wanting to eat or drink
• Feeling exhausted
• Ear pain

See your healthcare provider if you have more severe symptoms of mumps, stomach pain, fever above 103 F, confusion or disorientation, or testicular pain and swelling.

What are the treatment options for mumps?

“Mumps typically does not require medical treatment, and most individuals recover completely within a few weeks,” says Joy. She says it’s adults that can have more severe infections compared to children.

At home, you can make sure you or your child rest as much as possible, take over-the-counter pain relievers for discomfort and use warm or cool cloths over swollen glands for comfort.

How do you prevent mumps?

You can often prevent mumps by immunization before exposure, though mumps immunity can lessen over time, explains Joy.

The mumps vaccine is part of the combined MMR vaccination and the MMR combined with the chickenpox vaccine, says Joy. Two doses are recommended. The first is given at 12 to 15 months, with the second at 4 to 6 years.

“A third vaccination may be required in cases of outbreaks or if immunity is not present on blood work screening,” adds Joy.

Can mumps cause complications?

Joy says complications from the mumps virus can happen regardless of your vaccination status. According to Joy, more common complications of a mumps infection can affect:

Reproductive organs

This includes testicular inflammation, which causes pain, redness, and swelling in boys. In girls, it can cause ovary inflammation with abdominal pain and vomiting.

Long-term complications are rare, says Joy, but could cause shrinking of the testicles, which can lead to fertility problems later in life. For girls they might enter menopause at an earlier age than expected.

Nervous system

Mumps can cause encephalitis—brain inflammation—and meningitis when the fluid and membranes of the brain and spinal cord become infected and inflamed.

Deafness can also happen, and hearing loss can come on quite suddenly, according to Joy.

“Before widespread vaccination, mumps was a leading cause of viral meningitis and encephalitis and the most common cause of acquired hearing loss in children. Most can recover completely, although permanent hearing loss has been seen,” says Joy.

Getting vaccinated can prevent mumps, though it can still happen for some people. Talk with your healthcare provider if you or your child need further protection from mumps by getting a third dose of the MMR vaccine during mumps outbreaks.

Experts

• Amanda Joy, PA-C, a physician assistant and associate medical director at MedStar Health Urgent Care