Mumps. Young child affected by mumps (infectious parotitis). This is an acute viral infection, mainly of childhood, which is spread in airborne droplets and has an incubation period of two to three weeks. The main symptom is inflammation and swelling of one or both of the parotid glands, situated just inside the angle of the jaw. Many children are only slightly unwell. In more serious cases there is difficulty in chewing, fever, headache and swallowing may become painful. Occasional complications are meningitis, orchitis (inflammation of the testis) and pancreatitis. There is no specific treatment but analgesic drugs may be given and plenty to drink.