Mumps is a viral disease that causes swelling of the parotid glands (glands that produce saliva in the mouth).

Before a vaccine became widely available in the United States in 1967, mumps was considered a routine childhood disease and more than 200,000 cases were reported each year. Today, there are only a few hundred cases reported each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). However, mumps still occurs more often in countries where the vaccine is not in wide use.  

Mumps is spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes, or through contact with infected objects, such as utensils and drinking glasses. It usually begins with a general sick feeling (malaise), fever, chills and a sore throat, followed by swelling of the parotid glands that causes the cheeks to puff out.

Mumps is usually diagnosed during a physical examination. Physicians can normally diagnose it by the symptoms experienced, but sometimes a viral culture or blood test is performed to confirm a diagnosis.

There is no cure for the mumps virus, but patients can relieve symptoms by using over-the-counter pain relievers, warm or cold compresses and drinking plenty of fluids.

The best way to prevent mumps is to receive the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that children receive a dose of the vaccine between 12 to 15 months of age, followed by another dose between 4 and 6 years of age.