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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staff
Up to 1 in 5 people infected with the mumps virus has no signs or symptoms. When signs and symptoms do develop, they usually appear about two to three weeks after exposure to the virus and may include:
- Swollen, painful salivary glands on one or both sides of your face
- Pain with chewing or swallowing
- Fever
- Weakness and fatigue
The primary — and best known — sign of mumps is swollen salivary glands that cause the cheeks to puff out. In fact, the term "mumps" is an old expression for lumps or bumps within the cheeks.
When to see a doctor
If you suspect that you or your child has mumps, see your doctor. Mumps has become an uncommon illness, so it's possible that the signs and symptoms are caused by another condition. Swollen glands and a fever could be an indication of inflamed tonsils (tonsillitis) or a blocked salivary gland.
Other, rarer viruses can infect the parotid glands, causing a mumps-like illness.
- Arumugam V, et al. Mumps. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2010. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/189250272-4/0/2088/427.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05609-0..00022-8--sc0180_8757. Accessed March 17, 2010.
- Gutierrez KM. Mumps virus. In: Long SS, et al., eds. Principles and Practice of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/189250272-5/0/1679/228.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-443-06687-0..50227-7--cesec14_4159. Accessed March 17, 2010.
- Litman N, et al. Mumps virus. In: Mandell GL, et al. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier; 2005. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/book.do?method=display&type=bookPage&decorator=header&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-443-06839-3..00157-0--s0035&uniq=189250272&isbn=978-0-443-06839-3#lpState=open&lpTab=contentsTab&content=4-u1.0-B978-0-443-06839-3..00157-0%3Bfrom%3Dtoc%3Btype%3DbookPage%3Bisbn%3D978-0-443-06839-3. Accessed March 17, 2010.
- Albrecht MA. Epidemiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis and management of mumps. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 17, 2010.
- Mumps: Questions and answers. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4211.pdf. Accessed March 17, 2010.
- Albrecht MA. Mumps virus vaccine. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 17, 2010.
- Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/Vaccines/MMR/MMR.html. Accessed March 17, 2010.
- Hoecker JL (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. April 1, 2010.
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