Mumps

Mumps is an infection caused by a virus. It is highly contagious and passes easily from person to person, so prevention is very important. The mumps vaccine is the best way to prevent mumps.

The main symptom of mumps is painful swelling in the cheeks and neck. Symptoms can also include:

  • fever,
  • headache or earache,
  • tiredness,
  • sore muscles,
  • dry mouth,
  • trouble talking, chewing or swallowing, or
  • loss of appetite.

Although most people fully recover from mumps within 7 to 10 days, in rare cases the virus may cause complications. These include deafness, meningitis (infection of the covering of the brain and spinal cord) or infections of the testicles or ovaries.

There is no specific cure for mumps.

Causes

   Causes

   Causes of the disease, how it's spread, and where it's found.

   Symptoms

   Main symptoms, what to look for and what to do if you become ill.

Risks

   Risks

   What the risks are and who is most at risk.

Treatment

   Treatment

    How the disease is diagnosed and treatment options.

Prevention

   Prevention

   How the disease can be prevented, vaccine information and additional measures.

Surveillance

   Surveillance

    How the disease is monitored.

Health Professionals

   Health Professionals

    Disease description, epidemiology, publications and resources.

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