Mumps
Mumps is a contagious disease that is caused by a virus. It typically starts with a few days of fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, and loss of appetite. Then most people will have swelling of their salivary glands (often referred to as parotitis when the parotid gland, located in front and below the ear, swells). This is what causes the puffy cheeks and a tender, swollen jaw.
Signs & symptoms, complications, transmission, photos
Information on getting vaccinated
Overview of how to protect yourself against mumps before traveling internationally
Information about clinical features, prevention, reporting and controlling mumps
Guidance for optimizing mumps testing practices, when to use a 3rd dose of MMR vaccine during outbreaks, job-aid for providers
Information about mumps cases and outbreaks, outbreak-related questions and answers for patients
Answers specific questions about lab tests used to diagnose mumps
Fact sheets, MMWR articles, pink book chapter on mumps, surveillance manual chapter on mumps, video and other digital materials about mumps vaccination and outbreaks
Even though the vaccine has drastically reduced mumps cases, outbreaks still occur. Outbreaks have most commonly occurred among groups of people who have prolonged, close contact, such as sharing water bottles or cups, kissing, practicing sports together, or living in close quarters, with a person who has mumps. Some vaccinated people may still get mumps if they are exposed to the virus. However, disease symptoms are milder in vaccinated people.
Make sure you are protected against mumps with measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine.
MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine is the best way to protect against mumps.
- Has your young child received the MMR vaccine?
- Some preteens, teens, and adults need the MMR vaccine
- Your health department may recommend that some people at increased risk for mumps get an additional dose during an outbreak
- Learn about mumps
If you think you or someone in your family may have mumps, let your doctor know right away.