Summary
Read the full fact sheet- Mumps is a contagious viral illness that commonly causes fever, tiredness and swollen salivary glands.
- Vaccination is the best way to reduce the risk of mumps.
- People with mumps should isolate at home to stop spreading the infection to others.
On this page
About mumps
Mumps is a contagious viral illness that can cause fever, swollen salivary glands (parotitis), and inflammation to other parts of the body.
Mumps is uncommon in Australia because of the widespread use of the mumps vaccine. But, outbreaks still occur so it is important to continue vaccinating children.
Symptoms of mumps
Signs and symptoms of mumps may include:
- fever
- headache
- fatigue
- weight loss
- swollen parotid gland (the salivary gland located in front of the ear) on one or both sides of the face
- painful chewing
- painful swallowing.
Complications of mumps
Complications from mumps are uncommon, but can include:
- brain inflammation – encephalitis
- inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord – meningitis
- testicle inflammation – orchitis
- ovary inflammation – oophoritis
- breast inflammation – mastitis
Other complications include miscarriage and hearing loss. Sterility (the inability to have children) can sometimes happen in men if they had testicle inflammation, but this is very rare.
Spread of mumps
Mumps is commonly spread when a person breathes in the virus that has been coughed or sneezed into the air by an infectious person.
It can also spread from direct contact with saliva of an infected person.
The time from being exposed to the mumps virus and becoming unwell can range from 12 to 25 days, but is often 16 to 18 days.
People with mumps can spread the virus up to 7 days before and 9 days after their face starts to swell. But, they are most infectious from 2 days before to 5 days after the facial swelling starts.
People at risk of mumps
People who are not immunised or who have not had mumps before are at risk of contracting the virus. This risk increases if they travel to countries where mumps is common.
Prevention of mumps
Immunisation against mumps
Immunisation is the best way to prevent mumps and potential serious complications.
In Australia, mumps vaccine is only available in combination with:
- measles and rubella vaccine (MMR) or
- measles, rubella and varicella vaccine (MMRV) – not recommended for people aged 14 years and over.
Unless there are specific reasons not to receive the vaccines, everyone born in 1966 or later should have either:
- documented evidence of receiving 2 doses of mumps-containing vaccine given at least 4 weeks apart and with both doses given at or older than 12 months of age, or
- blood test results showing immunity to measles, mumps and rubella.
Free mumps-containing vaccine is available through the National Immunisation Program Schedule for:
- children at 12 months old (given as MMR vaccine)
- children 18 months old (given as MMRV vaccine).
Free catch-up vaccines are available for:
- people aged up to 20 years who have not been fully vaccinated
- refugees and humanitarian entrants aged 20 and over.
In Victoria, one or 2 doses of free MMR vaccine are also available for all people born during or since 1966 without evidence of receiving 2 documented doses of valid MMR vaccine, or without blood test results showing evidence of immunity.
If you have not received the vaccine, ask your doctor or immunisation provider about catch-up doses.
People who should not be vaccinated
Mumps-containing vaccines are not recommended for:
- pregnant women
- people with a weakened immune system – ask your doctor if you are in this category.
Women who are planning pregnancy and do not have immunity to mumps should be vaccinated before becoming pregnant, or delay vaccination until after the birth of their child.
Vaccinated women should avoid pregnancy for 28 days after vaccination.
If you are pregnant (or planning on becoming pregnant) or have a weakened immune system, contact your doctor or immunisation provider to discuss your options.
See combined measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (chickenpox) vaccine or visit the Australian Immunisation Handbook for more information.
Contact your doctor or immunisation provider for advice.
Immunisation and HALO
The immunisations you may need depend on your health, age, lifestyle and occupation. Together, these factors are called HALO.
Talk to your doctor or immunisation provider if you think you or someone in your care has health, age, lifestyle or occupation factors that could mean immunisation is needed. You can check your immunisation HALO using the Immunisation for Life infographic.
Diagnosis of mumps
Mumps is diagnosed based on symptoms, a physical examination, and your medical history (including vaccination status and travel history).
Tests such a cheek swab or blood test will confirm if you have mumps.
Treatment for mumps
There is no specific treatment for mumps. Antibiotics don't work because the illness is viral.
There are ways to ease symptoms and reduce the risk of complications. People with mumps should:
- isolate at home to reduce the risk of spreading the disease
- rest
- drink plenty of fluids
- take paracetamol to reduce pain and fever
- apply cold compresses against the swollen parotid glands (the salivary gland in front of the ear)
- eat soft and easy to swallow foods, such as soup, porridge or pureed vegetables.
A case of mumps without complications usually gets better within about 2 weeks.
See your doctor if you have:
- pain anywhere other than the face, as this may be a sign of inflammation in another organ
- a high fever
- you are getting sicker.
Public health response to mumps
People with mumps
People with mumps should stay at home until they are no longer infectious – this can be up to 9 days after the start of facial swelling. This will reduce the chance of spreading it to other people.
Children with mumps must not go to primary school and children's services, such as childcare, for 5 days from the start of swelling, or until swelling goes down (whichever is sooner).
If you are caring for someone with mumps, make sure you practise strict hygiene. You should:
- wash your hands frequently
- don't share food or drink utensils
- encourage the sick person to cough or sneeze into a tissue.
People who have been exposed to mumps
You are at risk of mumps if you have been in contact with someone with mumps and aren't fully vaccinated or haven't had mumps before. You should watch for mumps symptoms for 25 days after being exposed and see a doctor if you feel sick.
If you haven't had 2 doses of the mumps-containing vaccine, you should get vaccinated. But, this might not stop you from getting mumps from the most recent exposure.
Where to get help
- In an emergency, always call triple zero (000)
- Emergency department of your nearest hospital
- Virtual Emergency Care
- Urgent Care Clinics – when immediate healthcare is needed, but it's not life threatening
- Your GP (doctor)
- Nurse-on-Call Tel. 1300 60 60 24 – for expert health information and advice (24 hours, 7 days)
- Local government immunisation services
- Maternal and Child Health Line (24 hours) Tel. 13 22 29
- Immunisation Program, Department of Health
- National Immunisation Hotline Tel. 1800 671 811
- Pharmacist
- SAFEVIC
- Measles, mumps and rubella vaccine: immunisation information, 2023, Department of Health, Victorian Government.
- The Australian Immunisation Handbook, Department of Health, Australian Government.
- Immunisation schedule Victoria and vaccine eligibility criteria, Department of Health, Victorian Government.
- National Immunisation Program Schedule, Department of Health, Australian Government.
- Vaccine side effects, Department of Health and Human Services, Victorian Government.
- Pre-immunisation checklist – what to tell your doctor or nurse before immunisation, Department of Health and Human Services, Victorian Government.
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