Signs & Symptoms of Mumps

Mumps is best known for the puffy cheeks and tender, swollen jaw that it causes. This is a result of swollen salivary glands under the ears on one or both sides, often referred to as parotitis.

Other symptoms that might begin a few days before parotitis include:

• Fever
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Tiredness
• Loss of appetite

Symptoms typically appear 16-18 days after infection, but this period can range from 12–25 days after infection.

Some people who get mumps have very mild symptoms (like a cold), or no symptoms at all and may not know they have the disease.

In rare cases, mumps can cause more severe complications.

Most people with mumps recover completely within two weeks.