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Mumps, or epidemic parotitis, is a human viral disease which is caused by the mumps virus. It was a common childhood disease worldwide before the mumps vaccine became available. It is still a significant threat to health in developing countries, with sporadic outbreaks still occurring in developed countries.

The most typical presentation is painful swelling of the salivary glands - classically the parotid gland. The symptoms are generally not severe in children. Rash and painful swelling of the testes (orchitis) may also occur. In teenage males and men, complications such as various degrees of infertility are more common, although still rare in absolute terms. Males past puberty who develop mumps have a 15-20 percent risk of orchitis.

Fever and headache are early symptoms of mumps, together with general discomfort and anorexia. Other symptoms of mumps can include dry mouth, sore face and/or ears and occasionally in more serious cases, loss of voice. In addition, up to 20% of persons infected with the mumps virus are asymptomatic, so it is possible to be infected and unknowingly spread the virus.

The disease is generally self-limiting, running its course before receding, with no specific treatment apart from controlling the symptoms with pain medication.

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11y ago

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