Complications of Mumps
Mumps can occasionally cause complications, especially in adults.
Complications can include:
- inflammation of the testicles (orchitis) in males who have reached puberty; this may lead to a decrease in testicular size (testicular atrophy)
- inflammation of the ovaries (oophoritis) and/or breast tissue (mastitis)
- inflammation in the pancreas (pancreatitis)
- inflammation of the brain (encephalitis)
- inflammation of the tissue covering the brain and spinal cord (meningitis)
- deafness
Neither inflammation of the testicles nor inflammation of the ovaries caused by mumps has been shown to lead to infertility.
Related Pages
- Vaccine (Shot) for Mumps
- Complications for Healthcare Providers
- Mumps: Questions and Answers pdf icon[4 pages]external icon
Ready-to-print version of one of the CDC-reviewed Q&A materials located on Immunization Action Coalition’s websiteexternal icon.
Page last reviewed: March 15, 2019