Common complications
Swollen testicle
Pain and swelling of the testicles (orchitis), affects one in five of all males who get mumps after puberty.
In affected boys and men, the swelling of their testicles normally begins four to eight days after the swelling of the parotid gland. Occasionally, swelling can occur up to six weeks after the swelling of the glands.
The swelling is usually very sudden and affects only one testicle. The testicle may also feel warm and tender.
Symptoms of pain can be eased using over-the-counter painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. If the pain is particularly severe, contact your GP who may prescribe a stronger painkiller for you.
Applying cold compresses to your testicles, and wearing supportive athletic underwear, may also reduce any pain.
Just under half of all males who get mumps-related orchitis will notice some shrinkage of their testicles and an estimated 1 in 10 men will experience a drop in their sperm count (the amount of healthy sperm that their body can produce). However, this is rarely large enough to cause infertility.
Viral meningitis
Viral meningitis can occur if the mumps virus spreads into the outer protective layer of the brain which is known as the meninges. It occurs in one in seven cases of mumps.
Unlike bacterial meningitis, which is regarded as a potentially life-threatening medical emergency, viral meningitis causes much milder, flu-like symptoms, and the risk of serious complications are low.
Sensitivity to light and vomiting are common symptom of viral meningitis. The symptoms of viral meningitis usually pass within 14 days.
Swelling of the ovaries
One in 20 females who gets mumps after puberty will experience is the swelling of your ovaries (Oophoritis), which can cause symptoms of:
- lower abdominal pain
- high temperature
- being sick
The symptoms of oophoritis usually pass once the body has fought off the underlying mumps infection.
Pancreatitis
One in 20 cases of mumps leads to pancreatitis. The most common symptom is the sudden pain in the centre of your upper abdomen. Other symptoms of acute pancreatitis can include:
- feeling sick
- being sick
- diarrhoea
- loss of appetite
- high temperature
- tenderness of the abdomen
- less commonly, yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes (jaundice)
Although the pancreatitis associated with mumps is usually mild, you may be admitted to hospital so that your body functions can be supported until your pancreas recovers.
Rare complications of mumps
Rare but potentially serious complications of mumps include an infection of the brain itself, which is known as encephalitis. This is thought to occur in around 1 in 1,000 cases and requires admission to an intensive care unit.
Another rare complication of mumps is permanent hearing loss, which occurs in around 1 in 20,000 cases. Unfortunately there is currently no cure for this complication of mumps.
