Author
Home > Health > What is the Difference Between Mumps and Glandular Fever?

Guilherme Mazui

•3 minutes to read

What is the Difference Between Mumps and Glandular Fever?

🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚

Mumps and glandular fever are two different viral infections with distinct characteristics:

Mumps:

  • Caused by a paramyxovirus.
  • Main symptoms include swelling and pain of one or both parotid glands, which are the main salivary glands located just below the ears.
  • Other symptoms may include dry mouth, difficulty swallowing, fever, headache, mild abdominal pain, and tiredness.
  • Mumps is less common now due to the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.

Glandular Fever:

  • Caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).
  • Also known as infectious mononucleosis or "the kissing disease".
  • Main symptoms include swollen glands, tonsils, liver, and spleen.
  • Other symptoms may include sore throat, fever, fatigue, and swollen glands in the neck.
  • Glandular fever is mostly found in young adults and can be spread through saliva, coughing, sneezing, or sharing eating and drinking utensils.

While both infections may present similar symptoms like swollen glands, tiredness, and fever, they are caused by different viruses and have distinct characteristics.

On this page
  • What is the Difference Between Mumps and Glandular Fever?
  • Comparative Table: Mumps vs Glandular Fever

    • Comparative Table: Mumps vs Glandular Fever

    Here is a table comparing the differences between mumps and glandular fever:

    Feature Mumps Glandular Fever
    Caused by Paramyxovirus Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)
    Infection Type Viral Viral
    Symptoms Swelling of the parotid salivary glands in the face, fever, headache, anorexia, malaise Flu-like illness, fever, headache, swollen lymph glands in the neck, prolonged fatigue
    Complications Risk of sterility in adult males, meningitis, encephalitis, pancreatitis Mononucleosis, chronic fatigue syndrome, acute anemia, swollen liver or spleen, complications involving the lungs, heart, nervous system, or liver
    Spread Contagious, spread through respiratory droplets, saliva, coughing, and sneezing Highly contagious, spread through saliva, coughing, sneezing, or touching infected objects
    Prevention Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine No specific vaccine, preventative measures include frequent hand-washing, avoiding close contact with infected individuals, and covering the mouth when coughing or sneezing
    Commonality Mumps infection is less common due to the MMR vaccine, but outbreaks still occur Glandular fever is also known as the 'kissing disease' and is relatively common

    Mumps is an infection caused by the paramyxovirus, resulting in the swelling of the parotid salivary glands in the face. Glandular fever, on the other hand, is an infection caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and presents with a flu-like illness, swollen lymph glands, and prolonged fatigue.

    Read more:

    Guilherme Mazui

    Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.