Mumps

The symptoms of mumps usually develop 14 to 25 days after a person is infected with the mumps virus (the incubation period). The average incubation period is around 17 days.

Swelling of the parotid glands is the most common symptom of mumps. The parotid glands are a pair of glands responsible for producing saliva. They are located on either side of your face, just below your ears.

Both glands are usually affected by the swelling, although only one gland can be affected. The swelling can cause pain, tenderness and difficulty with swallowing.

Other symptoms of the mumps include:

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

If you suspect that you or your child has mumps, it’s important to call your doctor.

It’s also important to let your GP know in advance if you are coming to the surgery so they can take any necessary precautions to avoid the spread of infection.

Complications of mumps

Swollen testicles:

Pain and swelling of the testicles (orchitis), affects one in five of all males who get mumps after puberty.

In affected boys and men, the swelling of their testicles normally begins four to eight days after the swelling of the parotid gland. Occasionally, swelling can occur up to six weeks after the swelling of the glands.

The swelling is usually very sudden and affects only one testicle. The testicle may also feel warm and tender.

Applying cold compresses to your testicles, and wearing supportive athletic underwear, may also reduce any pain.

Just under half of all males who get mumps-related orchitis will notice some shrinkage of their testicles and an estimated 1 in 10 men will experience a drop in their sperm count (the amount of healthy sperm that their body can produce). However, this is rarely large enough to cause infertility.

Viral meningitis:

This can occur if the mumps virus spreads into the outer protective layer of the brain which is known as the meninges. It occurs in 1 in 7 cases of mumps.

Unlike bacterial meningitis, which is regarded as a potentially life-threatening medical emergency, viral meningitis causes much milder, flu-like symptoms, and the risk of serious complications are low.

Sensitivity to light and vomiting are common symptom of viral meningitis. The symptoms of viral meningitis usually pass within 14 days.

Swelling of the ovaries:

One in 20 females who gets mumps after puberty will experience swelling of the ovaries (Oophoritis), which can cause symptoms of:

• lower abdominal pain
• high temperature
• being sick

The symptoms of oophoritis usually pass once the body has fought off the underlying mumps infection.

Pancreatitis:

One in 20 cases of mumps leads to pancreatitis. The most common symptom is the sudden pain in the centre of your upper abdomen. Other symptoms of acute pancreatitis can include:

• feeling sick
• being sick
• diarrhoea
• loss of appetite
• high temperature
• tenderness of the abdomen
• less commonly, yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes (jaundice)

Although the pancreatitis associated with mumps is usually mild, you may be admitted to hospital so that your body functions can be supported until your pancreas recovers.

Rare complications of mumps

Rare but potentially serious complications of mumps include an infection of the brain itself, which is known as encephalitis. This is thought to occur in around 1 in 1,000 cases and requires admission to an intensive care unit.

Another rare complication of mumps is permanent hearing loss, which occurs in around 1 in 20,000 cases.