Mumps (infectious parotitis)
Mumps precautions
What CDC’s table says
Verbatim from CDC’s Appendix A, with bibliography numbers removed.
Mumps (infectious parotitis)
DropletStandardDurationUntil 5 days after the onset of swelling
Mumps [October 2017] Update: The Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC) voted to change the recommendation of isolation for persons with mumps from 9 days to 5 days based on this 2008 MMWR reportUpdated Recommendations for Isolation of Persons with Mumps. After onset of swelling; susceptible HCWs should not provide care if immune caregivers are available. The below note has been superseded by the above recommendation update Note: (Recent assessment of outbreaks in healthy 18-24 year olds has indicated that salivary viral shedding occurred early in the course of illness and that 5 days of isolation after onset of parotitis may be appropriate in community settings; however the implications for healthcare personnel and high-risk patient populations remain to be clarified.)
Test yourself: a CIC-style question
A patient is diagnosed with mumps. What type of Transmission-Based Precautions should be implemented?
- Contact Precautions
- Droplet Precautions
- Airborne Precautions
- Standard Precautions only
Show answer
B. Droplet Precautions
Mumps spreads by respiratory droplets. CDC recommends Droplet + Standard Precautions until 5 days after swelling begins.
Questions like this come up in the Preventing and Controlling the Transmission of Infectious Agents domain of the CIC® exam. The 654 questions in the app each come with a written explanation.
FAQ
- What precautions are needed for Mumps?
- Droplet + Standard. Room: Single room preferred. PPE: Facemask on room entry. Staffing: Susceptible staff should not provide care if immune staff are available. History: HICPAC shortened isolation from 9 to 5 days (2008 MMWR).
- How long do Mumps precautions last?
- Until 5 days after the onset of swelling.
Sources
Checked against CDC on October 21, 2026. For education and CIC® exam preparation only — not a substitute for your facility’s infection prevention policies, your state or local health department, or clinical judgment. CBIC and CDC do not endorse this tool.