All about mumps. How long does it last? What are the symptoms and complications?

HOW LONG DOES MUMPS LASTS

If you catch mumps, you will probably be ill for 7 - 10 days.

THE SYMPTOMS

Mumps will make you feel generally unwell, and 60-70% of those infected will develop symptoms such as:

-- Painful and swollen glands in the cheeks, neck or under the jaw

-- Fever

-- Headache

-- Abdominal pain

-- Loss of appetite

SERIOUS COMPLICATIONS

Although most people will get over mumps without too many problems, a significant number will go on to develop serious complications.

The numbers in the brackets indicate how common each complication is, based on reports of past cases of the disease:

-- in older males, swollen, painful testicles (1 in 5)

-- central nervous system involvement is common - meningitis/encephalitis (1 in 200-5,000)

-- pancreatitis (1 in 30)

-- deafness - usually with partial or complete recovery (1 in 25)

-- mumps during pregnancy can lead to spontaneous abortion.