Page last updated 9/2/2026.
The County of San Diego is dedicated to preventing vaccine-preventable diseases by following the West Coast Health Alliance’s (WCHA) recommendations for vaccinations 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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