More info
Mumps (epidemic parotitis) is a highly infectious, self-limited viral disease caused by the mumps virus. Mumps typically starts with a few days of fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, and loss of appetite, and is followed by swelling of salivary glands. Up to 48 hours later, painful swelling of the salivary glands - classically the parotid gland - usually occurs and is the most typical presentation found in up to 95% of cases. Symptoms in adults are often more severe than in children. The disease is generally self-limiting, running its course before receding, with no specific treatment apart from controlling the symptoms with pain medication and medications to reduce fevers such as acetaminophen. Hospitalization may be required if meningitis or pancreatitis develops. After the illness, lifelong immunity to mumps generally occurs; reinfection is possible but tends to be mild and atypical.