Mumps (Epidemic Parotitis) By Brenda L Tesini, MD, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry Reviewed / Revised May 2023 View Patient Education Symptoms and Signs Diagnosis Treatment Prognosis Prevention Key Points More Information Topic Resources Mumps Non-Mumps Causes of Parotid... Mumps is an acute, contagious, systemic viral disease, usually causing painful enlargement of the salivary glands, most commonly the parotids.