• Question: what is mumps?

    Asked by etaylor to Lyn, Katy, Paul, PB on 26 Jun 2013.
    • Photo: Peter Balfe

      Peter Balfe answered on 26 Jun 2013:

      Mumps is a virus loosely related to parainfluenza (the less severe of the 2 types of flu). It is highly contagious (easily caught) and in rare cases can cause serious permanent problems, including brain damage, deafness and sterility. Fortunately the vaccine is highly effective and gives lifelong immunity!

    • Photo: Paul Waines

      Paul Waines answered on 26 Jun 2013:

      Hi etaylor- it’s a virus and its also called parotitis. It’s spread by coughs and sneezes and it can cause some painful swelling of the saliva glands and the testicles ( in boys obviously). It can cause some nasty problems occasionally but there’s a pretty good vaccine for it.

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