Mumps is a mild viral infection that usually affects children between the ages of three and 10. Mumps is marked by swelling on one or both sides of the cheeks, as well as fever. After a child has mumps once, he or she builds up a natural immunity to the disease and will not get it again.
Most people contract mumps before age 15. However, adults usually have a more severe case of the illness. Mumps is found equally in males and females.
The parotid gland is located in front of and below each ear. Mumps is a viral infection of this gland and is not highly contagious disease. If one member of a family becomes sick with it, chances are low that other family members will become infected. Mumps is transmitted via respiratory droplets in sneezes or coughs, or through direct physical contact (such as kissing).
Mumps is an acute viral infection of the parotid, a gland which produces saliva and is located in front of and below each ear.
