Definition & Bedeutung von "mumps"

What is "mumps"?

Mumps is a contagious viral infection that mainly affects the glands that produce saliva, causing them to swell. It is caused by the mumps virus, which spreads when an infected person talks, coughs, or sneezes, releasing saliva or mucus, or close contact with an infected person. Symptoms typically include swollen and tender glands, especially around the jaw, along with fever, headache, muscle aches, and fatigue. Mumps can also lead to complications such as inflammation of the testicles or ovaries, deafness, or meningitis. Vaccination is highly effective in preventing mumps and is typically given as part of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.