HealthInfo Waitaha Canterbury

Mumps

Mate pupuhi repe

Mumps is an infection caused by a virus. It spreads very easily via saliva.

When someone with mumps coughs, sneezes and talks, they release droplets into the air. You can catch mumps by breathing in the droplets. You can also catch it from touching an infected surface or object such as a door handle.

Mumps is usually a mild illness. But on rare occasions it can cause serious complications such as brain infections and infertility.

Mumps is much less common in tamariki (children) who have been immunised. But there have been recent outbreaks in New Zealand.

Symptoms of mumps

The mumps virus can infect many parts of your body, especially the glands on either side of your face, just below your ears. These glands typically swell and become painful. They also get tender, making chewing and swallowing sore.

Other symptoms include a high temperature, headache and feeling tired.

Men and teenage boys can get pain and swelling of their testicles.

Preventing mumps

Vaccination is the best way to prevent mumps. The MMR vaccine is used to prevent measles, mumps and rubella. Tamariki (children) receive this vaccine at 12 months and 15 months as part of the National Immunisation Schedule.

Self-care for mumps

There is no medicine to treat mumps. The treatment is aimed at relieving symptoms. Rest, drink plenty of fluids and use paracetamol or ibuprofen to help with fever and pain. Ask your general practice team or pharmacist for advice about what to take.

If it hurts to swallow food, food that does not need lots of chewing may be easier to eat.

Getting help for mumps

The infection usually goes away within 7 to 10 days. Contact your general practice team if your symptoms do not improve or if you feel they are getting worse.

Preventing the spread of mumps

To reduce the risk of spreading the infection, it is important to have good hand hygiene. This includes washing your hands with soap and water. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue if you cough or sneeze and throw the tissue away afterwards.

Stay away from school or work for 5 days after your symptoms first appear.

  HealthInfo recommends the following pages

• KidsHealth – Mumps

  Information about mumps in tamariki.

• Healthify He Puna Wairoa – Mumps

  More detailed information about mumps.

Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed May 2025.

Sources

Page reference: 131633

Review key: HIMUM-131633