You have three pairs of saliva-producing glands, also called salivary glands. These glands are located below your ears towards the front. Mumps affected one of the three glands called the parotid gland. Mumps is a viral infection which is common in the United States. Your odds of developing mumps are low because of a routine vaccination you receive. However, the infection can occur. The mumps virus, which causes the infection, can easily spread from person to another via saliva. You can also contract mumps if you breath in saliva droplets expelled by an infected person. This typically occurs when an infected coughs or sneezes. You can also contract the infection if you share cups and utensils with an individual who has the mumps. 
Complications of mumps are rare, but they can happen because of the swelling and inflammation. One complication is pancreatitis. Pancreatitis is pain in your upper abdomen. Orchitis, which affects the testicles, causes swelling. It may lead to a male become sterile. Complications of the mumps can also develop in your brain. Your brain can become inflamed and causing a life-threatening situation.
Complications of mumps are rare, but they can happen because of the swelling and inflammation. One complication is pancreatitis. Pancreatitis is pain in your upper abdomen. Orchitis, which affects the testicles, causes swelling. It may lead to a male become sterile. Complications of the mumps can also develop in your brain. Your brain can become inflamed and causing a life-threatening situation.