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Symptoms

By Mayo Clinic staff

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Illustration showing salivary glands Salivary glands
Photograph showing child with mumps Mumps

About one in five 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.

DS00125

May 3, 2008

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