Mumps

A simple vaccine that helps prevent painful swelling and serious complications

Mumps is a contagious viral illness spread through coughing and sneezing. It can cause fever, headache, muscle aches, loss of appetite, and swollen glands under the ears or jaw. While many cases are mild, mumps can lead to serious and long-lasting problems in some individuals.

Outbreaks still occur—especially in close-contact settings like college campuses—making vaccination important for continued protection.

At Marshfield Clinic, our Family Medicine and Pediatric providers help ensure children and adolescents stay protected through routine MMR vaccination.

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Call: (866) 50-2510; Monday-Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

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Symptoms

Mumps symptoms may include:

• Fever
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Loss of appetite
• Swollen salivary glands (under the ears or jaw)

Possible complications

Though uncommon, mumps may cause:

• Deafness
• Infection of the brain or spinal cord
• Swelling of the testicles or ovaries
• Severe illness or death

Vaccination reduces the risk of these outcomes.

Who's most at risk?

• Unvaccinated children
• Teens and young adults in close-contact settings
• People exposed during campus outbreaks

Vaccine recommendations

The MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps, and rubella.

• All children should receive two doses of MMR or MMRV starting at 1 year of age.
• Some teens and adults may need catchup doses if they did not receive two doses earlier.

Your provider can help determine if additional doses are needed.

How Marshfield Clinic supports you

We help patients and families:

• Stay on schedule with childhood vaccines
• Understand when booster doses may be needed
• Address concerns in a calm, clear, and supportive way