Health encyclopaedia

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Mumps

Mumps is a viral infection of the parotid salivary glands. These glands are located just below and in front of the ears. They produce saliva, which drains into the mouth and helps to break up and digest food.

Mumps is caused by a contagious virus, which is transmitted through airborne droplets from the coughs and sneezes of infected people. Symptoms usually appear 2-3 weeks after coming into contact with the infection, but it can take longer. Mumps is normally a mild illness, although in a minority of cases there can be severe complications, such as deafness and meningitis. This is why children are vaccinated against mumps.

Since 1988, when the childhood measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) immunisation was introduced, mumps has become less common in the UK.  However, in recent years there has been an increase in cases of mumps because some parents have chosen not to let their child have the MMR vaccine.

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• Causes
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