A contagious virus best known for a swollen jaw and puffy cheeks. Explore its illustrative 3D model, human context, and sources.
Mumps is caused by a virus that infects the salivary glands and spreads through saliva or respiratory droplets. CDC describes puffy cheeks and a tender, swollen jaw as its best-known sign, with most people recovering completely within two weeks. Vaccinated people can still get mumps, usually with milder symptoms and fewer complications.
CDC describes mumps as mild in most people, with rare complications including inflammation of the testicles, ovaries, breast tissue, pancreas or brain, meningitis and temporary or permanent hearing loss. Some complications occur more often in adults. This tag describes documented complications, not a personal risk estimate.
Mumps orthorubulavirus · rounded enveloped particle. HN and F are grouped visually; their molecular shapes and spacing are not reconstructed. The colours, proportions, protein shapes and visible counts are illustrative, not measured or an atomic reconstruction. Independent scientific review remains pending.
Source check: 2026-09-19. Educational content; independent scientific review remains pending.