Page last updated 11/24/2025.
In alignment with leading medical, health, and patient advocacy groups, the County of San Diego affirms that vaccines are not linked to autism. We remain committed to ensuring residents continue to have access to safe and effective vaccines that are based on credible, transparent, and science-based evidence.
The best way to prevent mumps is to get the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine.
- Children may get the measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (MMRV) vaccine instead. This vaccine protects against chickenpox too.
- MMR & MMRV vaccines usually give lifelong protection against measles and rubella, but protection against mumps may weaken over time.
Two doses of the MMR vaccine are recommended:
- The first dose at 12-15 months of age, and
- The second dose at 4-6 years of age.
Older children, teens, and adults who have not received the vaccine should get it. Anyone traveling internationally should be fully vaccinated before traveling.
- Babies ages 6-11 months can receive an extra dose of MMR vaccine before travel.
- Children 12 months and older can get their second dose early, as long as the second dose is at least 28 days after the first dose.
During a mumps outbreak, public health authorities may recommend a third dose of MMR vaccine for people who are at increased risk for mumps.
Mumps is a contagious disease caused by the mumps virus. It spreads through direct contact with saliva or respiratory droplets from the mouth, nose, or throat.
A person with mumps can get and spread the virus through:
- Coughing, sneezing, or talking;
- Sharing items that may have saliva on them, like water bottles or cups; and
- Close-contact activities with others, like playing sports, dancing, or kissing.
A person with mumps can spread it:
- From a few days before their salivary glands begin to swell, and
- Until up to five days after the swelling begins.
A person with mumps should limit their contact with others for up to 5 days after swelling begins. They should stay home from school, work, and not attend social events.
Mumps is known for causing puffy cheeks and a tender, swollen jaw. This is because salivary glands under the ears on one or both sides of the head become swollen. This is called parotitis. Symptoms that might begin a few days before jaw swelling include:
- Fever,
- Headache,
- Muscle aches,
- Tiredness, and
- Loss of appetite.
Symptoms usually appear 16-18 days after infection, but they may appear 12-25 days after infection.
Some people who get mumps have very mild symptoms (like a cold) or no symptoms at all.
In rare cases, mumps can cause serious complications, especially in adults.
Complications can include:
- Inflammation of the testicles (orchitis) that may lead to a decrease in testicular size (testicular atrophy);
- Inflammation of the ovaries (oophoritis) and/or breast tissue (mastitis);
- Inflammation in the pancreas (pancreatitis);
- Inflammation of the brain (encephalitis);
- Inflammation of the tissue covering the brain and spinal cord (meningitis); and
- Loss of hearing (temporary or permanent).
Inflammation of the testicles can lead to decreased fertility in men.
Not everyone with mumps has a swollen jaw. Tell your medical provider right away if you think you or a family member may have mumps. Medical providers can diagnose mumps by:
- Checking symptoms and physical signs
- Doing a physical exam
- Performing a laboratory test of a sample from the inside of the cheek
- Doing a urine test, and/or a blood test
There is no cure for mumps. Treatment helps ease symptoms and may include:
- Taking medicine for pain
- Getting plenty of rest
- Drinking lots of fluids
- Reducing fever
County of San Diego
California Department of Public Health (CDPH)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Call the Immunization Unit at (866) 358-2966, or send an email, for more information.
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