Symptoms
The symptoms of mumps typically appear about 14-18 days after exposure to the virus. The most common symptoms of mumps include:
- Swollen glands: Mumps is characterized by swollen glands, most commonly in the jaw and neck. The swollen glands may be accompanied by pain and difficulty swallowing.
- Fever: Mumps is often accompanied by a fever.
- Headache: Children with mumps may experience a headache.
- Other symptoms: Other common symptoms of mumps include muscle aches, fatigue, and loss of appetite.
Causes
Mumps is caused by the mumps virus, which is spread through respiratory secretions, such as saliva, mucus, and feces, from an infected person. The virus is spread through close contact with an infected person or through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Children are more prone to mumps because their immune systems are still developing and they are more likely to be in close contact with other children in settings such as schools and daycare centers.