Mumps

How Mumps Spreads

The mumps virus spreads from person to person through:

• Close contact with respiratory droplets when an infected person breathes, coughs, sneezes or talks.
• Contact with the saliva of an infected person. For example, by sharing food or drinks, or by kissing.
• Direct contact with objects or surfaces that have been contaminated with the saliva or respiratory droplets of an infected person.

An infected person can spread the virus from seven days before to five days after swelling in the cheeks and jaw begins.

Symptoms & Illness

Symptoms may start 16 to 18 days after being exposed but can start anywhere from 12 to 25 days after exposure.

Symptoms can last up to 10 days. They can be mild, cold-like symptoms, and some people may not have any symptoms at all.

Symptoms include:

• Swelling and pain in one or both sides of the cheeks, jaw and neck (most common symptom)
• Fever
• Headache or earache
• Fatigue (feeling more tired than usual)
• Muscle aches and pains
• Trouble talking, chewing or swallowing
• Loss of appetite (feeling less hungry than usual)

In rare cases, people can get severe symptoms or complications. This can include inflammation or swelling of the testicles (which may decrease fertility), ovaries or pancreas; meningitis (swelling of the brain) or deafness (loss of hearing).

Mumps Vaccine

Getting vaccinated against mumps is safe and the best way to protect yourself and your child(ren) against the disease. The mumps vaccine is part of Ontario's Publicly Funded Routine Immunization Schedule.

There are two mumps-containing vaccines in Canada: MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) and MMRV (measles-mumps-rubella-varicella). MMRV also provides protection from chickenpox (varicella). Both vaccines are made up of weakened, lives viruses.

Two doses are routinely given in childhood:

• First dose of MMR at 12 months of age
• Second dose of MMRV given between four to six years of age

Recommendations for adults:

• Adults born in 1970 or later are recommended to get two doses of a mumps-containing vaccine. Adults born in 1970 to 1995 may have only had one dose of a mumps-containing vaccine as a child and should get a second dose.
• People born before 1970 are assumed to be immune to mumps through natural infection.
• If there is an outbreak of mumps infection, public health may recommend an additional dose of MMR vaccine.

See the MMR and MMRV vaccine fact sheet for more information.

If you do not have vaccine records, or cannot get them, then you can safely get revaccinated. You can contact your health care provider for a copy of your vaccine records or to get vaccinated. Your local public health unit may have a copy of your vaccine records. Parents can update and look up vaccination records for school-aged children.

Seeking Medical Care & When to Stay Home

If you or your child(ren) were in close contact with someone with a mumps infection, watch for symptoms for 25 days after your last contact with that person.

Getting the mumps vaccine after being exposed to the virus will not prevent you from getting mumps infection but can provide protection against getting an infection in the future.

If you think you or your child(ren) may have mumps, it is important to:

• Stay home and away from others while you are sick to prevent spread.
• Call before visiting a clinic or hospital so they can prepare for your arrival and stop virus spread.
• Wear a well-fitting, high-quality mask (e.g., surgical mask, N95) if you need to go out.
• Wash or sanitize your hands often and cover your cough or sneeze with your elbow or a tissue.

People diagnosed with mumps or suspected of having it should stay home from childcare, school or work for five days after the start of symptoms and should not participate in group activities or have visitors. They should also avoid sharing food, drinks, or objects that you put in your mouth such as smoking and vaping products or musical instruments and avoid activities such as kissing.

Diagnosis & Treatment

Mumps is diagnosed with laboratory tests including a blood test, urine test and swab from the cheek and throat.

There is no treatment for mumps. Medications may be given to relieve some of the symptoms.

Reporting Mumps to Toronto Public Health

Mumps is a disease of public health significance and must be reported to Toronto Public Health by schools and child care centres and health care providers.

More Information

Call Toronto Public Health at 416-338-7600 (TTY at 416-392-0658) or speak to your health care provider. You can also call 811 to connect to a registered nurse day or night for free, secure and confidential health advice.