Mumps: Symptoms & Signs

Many people do not develop symptoms when they become infected with the mumps virus, so they may never know they had the infection. Others develop symptoms such as

• fever,
• swollen and tender parotid glands (the salivary glands located beneath the ears), and
• headache.

Other possible symptoms can include

• fatigue,
• loss of appetite, and
• muscle aches.

The swollen salivary glands typically appear about the third day of the infection, with the more nonspecific symptoms occurring earlier. The gland swelling can last up to 10 days. Symptoms in adults tend to be worse than those in children.

Cause of mumps

Mumps is caused by the mumps virus. It is transmitted only from human to human and can spread rapidly among people living in close quarters. The virus most commonly is spread by respiratory droplets expelled during sneezing or coughing.

Other mumps symptoms and signs

• Chills
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Headache
• Loss of Appetite
• Malaise
• Muscle Aches
• Neck Pain
• Neck Swelling
• Swollen Parotid Glands
• Swollen Salivary Glands

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