Complications of mumps
Most tamariki (children) recover from mumps. Unvaccinated rangatahi (young people) and adults who get mumps are more likely to experience severe disease and complications. Complications in people with mumps include:
- pain and swelling of a testicle (orchitis) in about 1 in 5 teenage or adult males - infertility is rare
- viral meningitis in up to 15% of people - most make a full recovery
- pain and swelling of an ovary (oophoritis) in 1 in 20 teenage or adult females - infertility is rare
- temporary deafness
- serious and permanent deafness - this is rare, usually on one side
- brain inflammation (encephalitis) in about 1 in 6,000 people
- inflammation of other organs, such as pancreas, nerves, joints, breast, kidney, thyroid and heart
- death - this is rare
There is an increased risk of miscarriage in pregnant women who get mumps during the first 3 months of pregnancy. There is no evidence that mumps causes damage to unborn babies.
Possible side effects of MMR
After MMR vaccination, a fever of 39.4°C or more happens in 5% to 15% of tamariki. This usually develops 6 to 12 days after vaccination and lasts 1 to 2 days. 5% of tamariki get a rash at the same time.
Side effects of the different components of the MMR vaccine can also include:
- mild swelling of the glands around the jaw 10 to 14 days after vaccination
- generalised swollen glands 2 to 4 weeks after vaccination
- joint pain 2 to 4 weeks after vaccination - this is more common in adult women than tamariki
Rare side effects of MMR
- inflammation of the brain (encephalitis)
- idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura (low platelets)
- aseptic meningitis
- anaphylaxis
- febrile seizures
References
Immunisation Handbook 2020 (mumps chapter). Wellington: Ministry of Health. [Accessed 04/07/2022]
