Mumps Directory
Mumps is a contagious viral infection that can cause painful swelling of the salivary glands. Mumps starts just like most other viral diseases, with fever, tiredness, muscle aches, and/or loss of appetite. The classic sign of mumps -- swollen glands -- don't appear right away, and sometimes they do not appear at all. There is a vaccine to prevent mumps. Follow the links below to find WebMD's comprehensive coverage about how mumps is contracted, what it looks like, how to prevent it, and much more.
Medical Reference
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Can Adults Get Mumps?
Mumps was once a common childhood virus. But can adults get it, too? Learn what might put you at risk and how you can reduce your chances of getting this once-common infection.
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What Are Mumps?
Mumps is a viral infection that can cause swelling of the salivary glands. Find out what causes it, who’s likely to get it, and what the treatment involves.
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Adult MMR Vaccine: Advantages, Side Effects, Guidelines
WebMD explains the MMR vaccine for adults, including who should get it and possible side effects.
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Young Childhood Immunizations
Learn more about childhood immunizations -- what shots your child should get and when -- from the experts at WebMD.
Features
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FAQ: Vaccine Court Hears Autism Cases
Contrary to media reports, a federal court has not yet issued any decisions on whether vaccines cause autism. Here's WebMD's FAQ.
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Child Vaccines: Some Parents Ill at Ease
Does the private right of parents to not vaccinate their kids trump the greater public good?
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Get an 'A' in Vaccines
Vaccines have proved so successful in eliminating their target diseases that some parents of school-aged children have gotten a bit lax about completing the complicated battery of injections.
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How Your Vaccines are Approved
The American Academy of Pediatrics reports that each year up to 50,000 children and adults are hospitalized because of the virus, and that 20 to 40 people die from it.