Mumps
(infectious parotitis)

What is mumps?

Mumps is an acute viral disease characterized by fever, swelling and tenderness of one or more of the salivary glands.

Although older people may contract the disease, mumps usually occurs in children between the ages of five and 15. Mumps occurs less regularly than other common childhood communicable diseases. The greatest risk of infection occurs among older children. Mumps is more common during winter and spring.

Mumps is transmitted by direct contact with saliva and discharges from the nose and throat of infected individuals.

Symptoms of mumps include fever, swelling and tenderness of one or more of the salivary glands, usually the parotid gland (located just below the front of the ear). Approximately one-third of infected people do not exhibit symptoms.

The incubation period is usually 16 to 18 days, although it may vary from 14 to 25 days.

Swelling of the testicles occurs in 15-25 percent of infected males. Mumps can cause central nervous system disorders such as encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) and meningitis (inflammation of the covering of the brain and spinal column). Other complications include arthritis, kidney involvement, inflammation of the thyroid gland and breasts and deafness.

Mumps is contagious seven days prior to and nine days after the onset of symptoms. A person is most contagious 48 hours prior to the appearance of symptoms.

Yes. Immunity acquired after contracting the disease is usually permanent.

Yes. Mumps vaccine is given on or after a childıs first birthday, and is usually administered in combination with measles and rubella vaccine. The vaccine is highly effective and one injection usually produces lifelong protection.

The single most effective control measure is maintaining the highest possible level of immunization in the community. Children should not attend school during their infectious period.

New York State Department of Health