Mumps is a contagious viral infection that used to be common in children before the introduction of the MMR vaccine.

It’s most recognizable by the painful swellings at the side of the face under the ears (the parotid glands).
Other symptoms of mumps include headaches,muscle pain and a high temperature, which may develop a few days before the swelling of the parotid glands.

There's currently no cure for mumps, but the infection should pass within one or two weeks.
Treatment is used to relieve symptoms and includes:
• Getting plenty of bed rest and fluids
• Using painkillers,
• Applying a warm or cool compress to the swollen glands to help relieve pain

You can protect your child against mumps by making sure they're given the combined MMR vaccine (for mumps, measles and rubella).
The MMR vaccine is part of the routine NHS childhood immunisation schedule. Your child should be given one dose when they are around 12-13 months and a second booster dose before they start school. .

Mumps usually passes without causing serious damage to a person's health. Serious complications are rare.
However, mumps can lead to viral meningitis if the virus moves into the outer layer of the brain. Other complications include swelling of the testicles in males or the ovaries in females (if the affected male or female has gone through puberty).