Last Updated on January 6, 2008

Mumps Symptoms

Mumps is no longer the common disease it once was. Since the introduction of the mumps vaccine in 1967, mumps cases have fallen considerably from its high of more than 200,000 cases per year in the United States. From time to time, mumps outbreaks occur in the US and since it a common disease in other parts of the world, you should be able to recognize mumps symptoms in case you do run across it and need to seek treatment.

Mumps is an infection that is caused by a virus. Mumps symptoms usually appear 2 to 3 weeks after the initial exposure to the mumps virus. It primarily attacks your parotid glands that are located in front of and below your ears. Sufferers of mumps have swelling in these glands that produces a swollen face look that is characteristic of mumps.

Approximately 20% of those with mumps do not exhibit any mumps symptoms. The most characteristic mumps symptom is the glands that are swollen up on the sides of face that resemble chipmunk cheeks. The cheeks appear as though they are filled with lumps. Other mumps symptoms include painful glands on the sides of the face, chewing and swallowing that is difficult, fatigue, weakness and fever.

Remember that in the US, mumps isn’t that common because of vaccination programs, but it can be found in isolated breakouts. It’s a good idea to know mumps symptoms in case you run across cases. If you or a family member is suffering from mumps, you should seek medical care from your family doctor in order to lessen the negative effects of the symptoms.