Mumps

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Mumps

Mumps is a contagious illness caused by a virus that infects the salivary (parotid) glands, which are located between the ear and the jaw, and that sometimes infects other glands, particularly the testicles (orchitis). The glands become swollen and tender as a result of the virus.

Mumps can affect people of all ages, but it most commonly affects children between the ages of 5 and 19. Mumps is rare in babies younger than a year old, because they still have some protection against the virus from their mothers. It is a mild illness in children younger than 2.

Mumps is uncommon in adults because most adults have either had the illness as children or have been immunized with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. When adults do get the illness, symptoms may be more severe, and complications are more likely.

Credits

Author	Jeannette Curtis
Author	Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Editor	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Editor	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor	Tracy Landauer
Associate Editor	Pat Truman
Primary Medical Reviewer	Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer	Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Last Updated	May 25, 2007

Last updated:	May 25, 2007
Author:	Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman

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