Life Cycle:
Mumps is spread by saliva or mucus of a person who is infected with the Mumps virus. It is spread person to person. Mumps is usually spread when the infected person is talking, sneezing, or coughing. It can also be spread when someone touches the same surface as someone who is infected and does not wash his or her hands, and then that person touches his or her hands to his or her mouth or nose; this is an indirect way of being infected with the Mumps virus. Using items like cups or utensils that were used by someone infected can transmit the virus also. The main site where replication of the Mumps virus occurs is in the epithelium of the upper respiratory tract. It then spreads to the lymphoid tissue and spreads to other parts of the body. The incubation period is 16-18 days; however, it can vary from 14-25 days. Mostly children and young adults get infected with this virus.
Video on Mumps: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioUi727k9JM>
Sources
Web. 9 Apr. 2015. <http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4211.pdf>.