how long does it typically take to start seeing symptoms of mumps?

Question

My boyfriend just found a few days ago that he has mumps. We were out last Friday, (about 4 days after he found out he had them) and I'm concerned I may have been exposed to them. My mom said I only had mumps on one side and it was a very light case and she isn't even sure if that is what it was. I work with kids and worry I may expose others unknowingly, yet I don't want to go without working, they depend on me to be there. How soon will I start seeing symptoms? Geez, I KNOW its too soon but would you believe I have a sore throat? LOL Its only been a week! Any tips?

And no, I have never had any vaccinations. When I was a child it wasn't as common...I'm 46 and with the severe allergies in my family our doctor thought it best for both me and my brother to NOT have them. The risks outweighed the benefits in our cases, and in those days, they were just childhood illnesses that it was expected that every child went through. You WANTED your kids to come down with them, so they'd develop the immunities and wouldn't worry about coming down with them as adults. Mind you, this was in the 60's. As an adult I could have gotten the vaccines I guess, but have never really thought to go get them. I have had all the other childhood illnesses but am not sure about mumps.

Answer 1

Transmission
The mumps virus replicates in the upper respiratory tract and is spread through direct contact with respiratory secretions or saliva or through fomites.

The infectious period or time that an infected person can transmit mumps to a non-infected person is from 3 days before symptoms appear to about 9 days after the symptoms appear.

The incubation time, which is the period from when a person is exposed to virus to the onset of any symptoms, can vary from 16 to 18 days (range 12-25 days).


Symptoms
Fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, and loss of appetite; followed by swelling of salivary glands. The parotid salivary glands (which are located within your cheek, near your jaw line, below your ears) are most frequently affected.


Complications
Severe complications are rare. However, mumps can cause:

inflammation of the brain and/or tissue covering the brain and spinal cord (encephalitis/meningitis)
inflammation of the testicles (orchitis)
inflammation of the ovaries and/or breasts (oophoritis and mastitis)
spontaneous abortion
deafness, usually permanent


Prevention
The mumps vaccine, which is contained in the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine, can prevent this disease.

Treatment
Currently, there is no specific treatment for mumps.

Answer 2

mumps? my god, weren't you vaccinated? I guess the better question, wasn't he vaccinated? If so, then that's very very uncommon, but still possible, and if not, then why the hell not?

Mumps is EXCEPTIONALLY rare nowadays, usually seen (imagine that) in people who haven't been vaccinated. Unless your face starts swelling up, don't worry about it. You're probably making yourself sick through all your anxiety. Still, if you do get sick, if you work with kids you should call out anyway, REGARDLESS of what you're sick with. Infections that are benign and self-limiting to you can be devastating in some children, mumps included.

If you're cheeks swell up, or you feel worse, go to the doctor. A moderately sore throat does not equal mumps.