Mumps is caused by a virus, and it is passed on in the same way as a cold, meaning that it is in the mucous and saliva that come from the nose and mouth.
Once a person is exposed to the mumps virus, it is usually about two weeks before the person has symptoms. Once the swelling starts, mumps is contagious for as long as nine days. It is usually a very mild disease, and doesn't require any treatment. Rarely, there can be complications from mumps, including neurological problems, and inflammation of the testes in men.
Infections with mumps occur most commonly in the late winter or spring, but it is rare to see it at all nowadays, since most children are immunized against it in infancy.
visiting countries that lack or have poor child immunization programs are your best bet for infecting yourself
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