--- title: "Mumps: Symptoms, Causes & NHS Treatment | HealthAnswers" description: "Mumps — swollen parotid glands, symptoms, MMR prevention, complications including orchitis, and when to see a GP." url: https://healthanswers.co.uk/conditions/mumps/ robots: noindex --- # Mumps: Symptoms, Causes & NHS Treatment | HealthAnswers Health A–Z Mumps — swollen parotid glands, symptoms, MMR prevention, complications including orchitis, and when to see a GP. Written by HealthAnswers editorial team Medically reviewed by [HealthAnswers UK doctor review panel](https://healthanswers.co.uk/our-doctors/) Reviewed 3 July 2026 ## Quick answer What is mumps? Mumps is a viral infection causing painful swelling of the parotid salivary glands below the ears — puffy cheeks and jaw. Spread through saliva; contagious before swelling appears. MMR vaccine prevents most cases. Usually resolves in 1 to 2 weeks but can cause orchitis (painful testicles) in post-puberty males and meningitis rarely. Stay home 5 days after swelling starts. Not treatable with antibiotics. ## Who is this page for? This page is for people in the UK who want a plain-English overview of Mumps, including when to seek help and what NHS care usually involves. It explains general information, not what is wrong with you personally. ## Who should skip this page? Skip this page if you need a diagnosis, a prescription, or emergency care. It cannot replace a GP, pharmacist, NHS 111 or 999. If you are in immediate danger, call 999; for urgent advice that is not life-threatening, call 111 in England, Scotland or Wales, or use your GP out-of-hours service in Northern Ireland. On this page 8 sections ## Key facts about mumps - Mumps spreads through saliva — coughing, kissing, sharing cups — like glandular fever. - Swelling of one or both parotid glands — in front of and below ear — is characteristic. - MMR vaccine at 12 months and preschool — part of measles-mumps-rubella protection. - Orchitis affects up to 1 in 4 males after puberty — painful swollen testicle — fertility impact usually minimal. - Stay off school or work 5 days from onset of parotid swelling to reduce spread. ## Mumps — parotid gland infection **Mumps** is a **viral infection** (mumps paramyxovirus) causing **painful swelling of the salotid glands** — the **parotid glands** in front of and below the ears — producing the classic **“hamster cheeks”** appearance. Before **MMR vaccination**, mumps was **universal in childhood**; now **outbreaks cluster** in universities and communities with **incomplete vaccination**. ## Symptoms **Classic:** - painful swollen parotid gland(s) — unilateral or bilateral - pain chewing and swallowing - trismus — difficulty opening mouth - low-grade fever - headache , myalgia **Prodrome:** non-specific illness **1 to 2 days** before swelling. **Other salivary glands** occasionally involved — submandibular. ## Spread and contagiousness **Saliva-borne:** - coughing, sneezing - kissing - sharing utensils, drinks **Incubation:** **16 to 18 days** (range 12 to 25). **Infectious:** **5 days before** parotid swelling to **5 days after** swelling starts. **Isolation:** **5 days from swelling onset** — school/work exclusion. ## Complications | Complication | Who affected | | --- | --- | | Orchitis | Post-puberty males — ~20 to 30% — painful testicular swelling — usually one side | | Oophoritis | Post-puberty females — rare | | Aseptic meningitis | More common than other viruses — usually full recovery | | Encephalitis | Rare | | Pancreatitis | Abdominal pain, vomiting | | Deafness | Usually unilateral — rare permanent | **Orchitis and fertility:** **bilateral orchitis** may reduce sperm count temporarily — **permanent infertility uncommon**. ## Diagnosis **Clinical** — swollen parotid with compatible illness in outbreak context. **Lab confirmation** — oral fluid swab, serology — public health notification. **Exclude:** - salivary gland stones - ** bacterial parotitis** — purulent, elderly dehydrated - HIV parotitis - ** lymphoma** ## Treatment **Supportive only:** - paracetamol/ibuprofen - fluids — soft diet if chewing painful - cold compresses - rest **No role for antibiotics** — virus. **Hospital** if meningitis, severe pancreatitis, or unable to eat/drink. ## MMR prevention **Same vaccine as measles** — see [measles](https://healthanswers.co.uk/conditions/measles/) guide: - 12 months , 3 years 4 months **Post-exposure:** MMR within **3 days** may prevent or modify disease in susceptible contacts. ## Mumps vs glandular fever Both cause **facial swelling and fever**: | | Mumps | Glandular fever | | --- | --- | --- | | Site | Parotid — front of ear | Cervical nodes, throat | | Throat | Less prominent | Severe sore throat common | | Age | Children/young adults | Teens/young adults | See [glandular fever](https://healthanswers.co.uk/conditions/glandular-fever/) guide. Mumps is **usually self-limiting** but **orchitis and meningitis** justify **MMR vaccination** and **isolation** during outbreaks. ## ! When to see a GP about mumps Phone GP if you suspect mumps — avoid spreading in waiting room. Seek urgent help for severe headache with neck stiffness, painful swollen testicle, severe abdominal pain (pancreatitis), or hearing loss in one ear. Pregnant women exposed to mumps should contact midwife — non-immune pregnancy risk. ## Common questions about mumps What are the symptoms of mumps? Painful swelling of parotid gland(s) — puffy face below ears, difficulty opening mouth, pain chewing, fever, headache, joint pain. Often preceded by non-specific illness. One or both sides affected — not always bilateral. How long does mumps last? Swelling usually peaks in 2 to 3 days, resolves over 1 to 2 weeks. Contagious from about 5 days before swelling until 5 days after swelling starts — total isolation period 5 days minimum from gland swelling onset. Can mumps make you infertile? Orchitis (testicle inflammation) in post-puberty males is painful and common in mumps — bilateral orchitis rarely may affect fertility; most men retain normal fertility. No proven link to female infertility from mumps oophoritis (rare). Is there a treatment for mumps? No specific antiviral — supportive care with paracetamol or ibuprofen, fluids, soft foods, rest. Cold compress on swollen glands. Antibiotics do not work — viral infection. Does MMR vaccine prevent mumps? Two MMR doses give about 88% protection against mumps — not perfect — outbreaks occur in vaccinated communities but milder disease. Same vaccine as measles and rubella — see measles guide for schedule. ## Sources - [NHS — Mumps](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/mumps/)