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Mumps Q&As

Published by Bupa's health information team, March 2009.

Answers to questions about mumps

This section contains answers to common questions about this topic. Questions have been suggested by health professionals, website feedback and requests via email.

 

Will it affect my baby if I get mumps when I'm pregnant?

If you catch mumps when you're pregnant, there is an increased risk of miscarriage. Mumps doesn't affect the birth weight or development of your baby.

Explanation

If you catch mumps when you're in the early stages (first trimester) of pregnancy, there is a slightly increased risk of miscarriage. There is no evidence that mumps will affect the development of your unborn baby or his or her birth weight. Mumps may increase the risk of your baby developing the heart condition endocardial fibroelastosis, but this is rare.

If you catch mumps when you're pregnant, you should talk to your GP for advice on the potential risks to your baby.

You shouldn't have the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine if you're pregnant. This is because the MMR vaccine contains live viruses, and so there is a risk of mumps being transferred to your baby during pregnancy. If you're planning a pregnancy and have recently had the MMR vaccine, you should wait at least one month before trying to become pregnant. If you have had the MMR vaccine when you're pregnant, or have become pregnant within a month of having the vaccine, you should talk to your GP who will explain any possible risks to your baby.

Further information

Sources

  • Hviid A, Rubin S, Muhlemann K. Mumps. Lancet 2008; 371:932-944. www.thelancet.com
  • Measles, mumps and rubella: prevention. Clinical Evidence. 2006. http://clinicalevidence.bmj.com
  • Frequently asked questions about mumps. Health Protection Agency. www.hpa.org.uk, accessed 26 June 2008
  • Immunisation against infectious disease 2006. Department of Health. 2006. www.dh.gov.uk, accessed 26 June 2008
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I've been in contact with someone who has mumps. What should I do?

If you have been in contact with someone who has mumps, you shouldn't be in close contact with other people until you're sure you haven't caught the infection.

Explanation

Mumps is a contagious infection which is spread from person to person, usually by direct contact, saliva or from droplets when someone sneezes. If you have been in close contact with someone who has mumps, there is a chance you will have caught the infection. Mumps can be transmitted to someone else from several days before symptoms develop to about five days after they appear. This means you may pass on the infection before you develop symptoms yourself. You shouldn't be in close contact with other people until you're sure you haven't got mumps.

The only way to protect yourself against mumps is to have the MMR vaccine. Having the vaccine after being in contact with someone who has mumps won't protect you from that particular infection, but it will protect you against future exposure to mumps. Your GP will be able to tell you whether you need the MMR vaccine.

Further information

Sources

  • Hviid A, Rubin S, Muhlemann K. Mumps. Lancet 2008; 371:932-944. www.thelancet.com
  • Immunisation against infectious disease 2006. Department of Health. 2006. www.dh.gov.uk, accessed 26 June 2008
  • Measles, mumps and rubella: prevention. Clinical Evidence. 2006. http://clinicalevidence.bmj.com
  • Frequently asked questions about mumps. Health Protection Agency. www.hpa.org.uk, accessed 26 June 2008
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I didn't have the MMR vaccine when I was younger - can I have it now?

Yes, you can have the MMR vaccine at any age. Women who are pregnant or women planning a pregnancy shouldn't have the MMR vaccine because it contains live viruses.

Explanation

If you think you need the MMR vaccine, visit your GP who will look at your immunisation history and decide whether you need it. If you're going to university or joining the armed forces, it's a good idea to check whether you have had the MMR vaccine. If you haven't had it, your GP will recommend you do as you're more likely to be exposed to mumps in these situations.

The MMR vaccine was introduced in 1988, and all children born after 1988 should have received it. If you were born between 1980 and 1990, you may have been vaccinated against measles and rubella, but not mumps. If you were born before 1980 you may have only been vaccinated against measles. Even if you have had the separate measles and rubella vaccines you can still receive the MMR vaccine to protect you against mumps. Ask your GP for advice if you're not sure.

If you're pregnant or planning a pregnancy, you shouldn't receive the MMR vaccine as there is a risk of the virus being transferred to your baby. Infection with the mumps virus can increase the risk of miscarriage if you're in the early stages (first trimester) of pregnancy. Mumps doesn't affect the development of your unborn baby or his or her birth weight. If you have the MMR vaccine when you're pregnant, or become pregnant within a month of having the vaccine, you should talk to your GP who will explain the possible risks to your baby.

Further information

Sources

  • Frequently asked questions about mumps. Health Protection Agency. www.hpa.org.uk, accessed 26 June 2008
  • Immunisation against infectious disease. Department of Health. 2006. www.dh.gov.uk, accessed 26 June 2008
  • Hviid A, Rubin S, Muhlemann K. Mumps. Lancet 2008; 371:932-944. www.thelancet.com
  • Measles, mumps and rubella: prevention. Clinical Evidence. 2006. http://clinicalevidence.bmj.com
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This information was published by Bupa's health information team and is based on reputable sources of medical evidence. It has been peer reviewed by Bupa doctors. The content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.

Publication date: March 2009

 

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