Mumps is a viral infection. The first symptoms of mumps are usually a combination of:

• a raised temperature
• swelling and tenderness of one of both of the salivary glands (parotid)
• headaches
• joint pain
• general malaise.

Mumps is usually fairly mild in young children, but can cause swelling of the testicles and rarely, infertility in males over the age of puberty.

The mumps virus is highly infectious and can be spread by droplets from the nose and throat, and by saliva.

Preventing the spread of mumps

You can help prevent the spread of mumps by:

• having the combined MMR vaccination, as part of the national immunisation schedule
• practicing good hand hygiene and regularly washing your hands with soap
• using and disposing of tissues when you sneeze
• avoiding lectures, seminars or work for at least 5 days after your symptoms first develop
• if seeking advice from a general practitioner, ask for an online or phone appointment rather than attending in person.

Further information

For more information on the MMR vaccination, visit the NHS website, or contact your general practitioner for more advice.

For more information on mumps, visit the NHS website.