Mumps

Mumps usually clears within 1 or 2 weeks.



Mumps causes painful swellings at the side of the face under the ears (the parotid glands). It gives a distinctive ‘hamster face’ appearance.

Other symptoms of mumps can include:

headaches joint pain feeling sick dry mouth mild stomach (abdominal) pain feeling tired loss of appetite a high temperature (fever) of 38°C (100.4°F), or above

These may develop a few days before the swelling of the parotid glands.

Sometimes, mumps doesn’t cause any noticeable symptoms.

Phone your GP if: you think you or your child might have mumps you’ve been in close contact with someone who has mumps and you’re pregnant, and haven’t been fully vaccinated

Mumps is not usually serious, but it has similar symptoms to more serious types of infection, such as glandular fever and tonsillitis.

You should phone your GP first before visiting. They can make arrangements to reduce the risk of spreading the infection to others.

Symptoms

The symptoms of mumps usually develop 14 to 25 days after you’re infected.

Mumps causes painful swellings at the side of the face under the ears (the parotid glands). It gives a distinctive ‘hamster face’ appearance.

Other symptoms of mumps can include:

headaches joint pain feeling sick dry mouth mild stomach (abdominal) pain feeling tired loss of appetite a high temperature (fever) of 38°C (100.4°F), or above

These may develop a few days before the swelling of the parotid glands.

Sometimes, mumps doesn’t cause any noticeable symptoms.

Phone your GP if: you think you or your child might have mumps you’ve been in close contact with someone who has mumps and you’re pregnant, and haven’t been fully vaccinated

Mumps is not usually serious, but it has similar symptoms to more serious types of infection, such as glandular fever and tonsillitis.

You should phone your GP first before visiting. They can make arrangements to reduce the risk of spreading the infection to others.