Beguk (mumps) is a viral infection that causes painful swelling of the salivary glands in front of the ears and along the jaw, often with fever, headache and tiredness. It spreads through saliva and droplets, from about 2 days before to 5 days after the swelling starts, so stay home for at least 5 days. There is no antiviral medicine; rest, fluids and paracetamol or ibuprofen help, and most people recover within 2 weeks. Complications such as swollen ovaries or testicles, meningitis and hearing loss are more likely in teenagers and adults. The MMR vaccine, given free to Malaysian babies at 9 and 12 months, is the best protection. Note that the Malay word beguk can also mean a swollen thyroid (goitre); this guide explains the difference.
Ringkasan: Beguk (Mumps)
- Beguk ialah jangkitan virus yang menyebabkan kelenjar air liur di depan telinga dan rahang bengkak dan sakit.
- Tanda lain: demam, sakit kepala, sakit otot, letih dan hilang selera makan, kadang-kadang beberapa hari sebelum bengkak.
- Berjangkit melalui air liur, batuk dan bersin, dari 2 hari sebelum hingga 5 hari selepas bengkak bermula. Duduk di rumah sekurang-kurangnya 5 hari.
- Tiada ubat antivirus. Rehat, minum banyak air, makan makanan lembut, dan ambil parasetamol atau ibuprofen. Jangan beri aspirin kepada kanak-kanak bawah 16 tahun.
- Orang dewasa lebih berisiko mendapat komplikasi: ovari bengkak, testis bengkak, meningitis dan masalah pendengaran.
- Vaksin MMR diberi percuma kepada bayi pada umur 9 dan 12 bulan. MMR tidak diberi semasa mengandung.
- Perhatian: dalam Kamus Dewan, beguk juga bermaksud tiroid bengkak (goiter) di depan leher, yang bukan jangkitan.
Sumber: CDC; NHS; MedlinePlus; Kamus Dewan (DBP); The Star.
Apa itu beguk?
Beguk, or mumps, is an infection caused by the mumps virus. The virus grows in the nose and throat, then spreads to the parotid glands, the largest salivary glands, which sit between the ear and the jaw (MedlinePlus; CDC). When they swell, the cheeks and jaw look puffy, sometimes so much that the jawbone cannot be felt and the ear is pushed up and out (CDC).
Mumps is most common in children aged 2 to 12 who have not been vaccinated, but it can happen at any age, including in university students (MedlinePlus). Most people recover fully within 2 weeks (NHS), and one infection usually gives lifelong protection, although getting it again is possible (MedlinePlus; CDC).
A note on the word beguk. In the Kamus Inggeris-Melayu Dewan, mumps is translated as beguk. But the Kamus Dewan defines beguk as a swelling of the neck caused by an enlarged thyroid gland, which in English is a goitre (DBP). Both meanings are in use, so if someone says they have beguk, check where the swelling is. The next sections explain how to tell them apart.
Tanda-tanda beguk
Symptoms usually start 16 to 18 days after catching the virus, but this can range from 12 to 25 days (CDC). They often come in this order:
- Feeling unwell first. A few days of fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness and loss of appetite (NHS; CDC).
- Swelling of the cheeks and jaw. Painful swelling around the cheeks and neck that gets worse over a few days. It often starts on one side and then affects both, but in about 25% of people only one side swells (NHS; CDC).
- Pain when eating or talking. The swelling can cause earache and make it hard to chew, swallow or speak (NHS).
- Settling down. The swelling usually peaks in 1 to 3 days and goes down over the next week (CDC).
Glands under the jaw and under the tongue can swell too, but less often, in about 10% of people (CDC). Some people, particularly those who have been vaccinated, have mild symptoms or none at all; before the vaccine, about 15% to 24% of infections caused no symptoms (CDC Pink Book).
Swollen cheeks are not always mumps. Other viruses, including flu, can also make the salivary glands swell (CDC), and a stone blocking a saliva duct or a bacterial infection can cause swelling under the jaw (MedlinePlus). The NHS says mumps is very unlikely if you have had 2 doses of the MMR vaccine or have had mumps before.
Beguk atau tiroid bengkak? How to tell the difference
Because beguk can mean either mumps or goitre, here is how the two usually differ:
| Beguk (mumps) | Tiroid bengkak (goitre) | |
|---|---|---|
| Where | Cheeks and angle of the jaw, in front of and below the ears, on one or both sides (CDC) | Lower front of the neck, below the Adam’s apple area; sometimes on one side only (NHS) |
| Pain | Painful and tender, especially when chewing (NHS) | Usually painless (NHS) |
| Other symptoms | Fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness (NHS) | May cause a lasting cough, hoarse voice, a feeling of something stuck in the throat, or trouble swallowing or breathing (NHS) |
| Cause | Mumps virus | An overactive or underactive thyroid, thyroid lumps (nodules), lack of iodine, and rarely thyroid cancer (NHS) |
| Contagious? | Yes, through saliva and droplets | No |
| What helps | Rest and pain relief; prevented by the MMR vaccine | Blood tests and an ultrasound scan to find the cause; treatment depends on the cause (NHS) |
A lump in the neck can also be a swollen lymph gland, a cyst or, rarely, cancer. See our guides to benjolan di leher (neck lumps) and tiroid (thyroid problems). A neck lump that does not go away after 3 weeks, keeps growing or makes it hard to breathe or swallow should be checked by a doctor.
Bagaimana beguk berjangkit dan berapa lama
The mumps virus spreads through direct contact with saliva or droplets from the nose and mouth (CDC), for example:
- coughing, sneezing or talking close to others;
- sharing cups, water bottles, cutlery or food;
- close contact such as kissing, contact sports or living in the same room (CDC);
- touching things with infected saliva on them and then your mouth or nose (MedlinePlus).
When it spreads. A person is most likely to pass on mumps from 2 days before the swelling starts until 5 days after (CDC). The virus can be found in saliva for a few days longer, which is why some people spread it before they know they are sick.
How long to stay home. Stay off work, or keep children away from school, nursery or a babysitter, for at least 5 days after the swelling starts (NHS; CDC). If possible, sleep in a separate room, wash your hands often, cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, and do not share towels, bedding, cups or cutlery (NHS). Tell the clinic before you go in, so they can keep you away from others in the waiting area (NHS).
Close contacts. Unlike for measles, giving the MMR vaccine after someone has already been exposed does not stop mumps from developing. Contacts who are not immune can still be offered a dose to protect them in the future (CDC).
How mumps is diagnosed
Doctors can often recognise mumps from the swollen cheeks and the history (MedlinePlus). Because other infections can look similar, a test may be done to confirm it (NHS; CDC):
- Cheek swab: the doctor rubs the inside of the cheek near the swollen gland, and the sample is tested for the virus (RT-PCR). This is the most common test (CDC).
- Blood test: checks for antibodies to mumps (CDC).
- Urine or spinal fluid: only in some situations, for example if meningitis is suspected (CDC).
A negative result does not always rule out mumps, especially in people who have been vaccinated (CDC).
Rawatan beguk di rumah
There is no specific medicine for mumps, and antibiotics do not work against the virus. Mumps usually gets better on its own within 2 weeks (NHS). These steps ease symptoms:
| What to do | How it helps |
|---|---|
| Rest at home | Helps you recover and stops the virus spreading to others |
| Paracetamol or ibuprofen, as directed on the pack | Eases pain, swelling and fever. Never give aspirin to children under 16 (NHS) because of the risk of Reye’s syndrome (MedlinePlus) |
| Drink plenty of water | Prevents dehydration, especially with fever (NHS) |
| Eat soft food, such as porridge (bubur), soup or mashed food | Chewing can be painful when the glands are swollen (MedlinePlus) |
| Warm or cool compress on the cheeks and neck | Gently holding a warm towel, or an ice or heat pack, can ease pain (NHS; MedlinePlus) |
| Gargle with warm salt water | Can soothe a sore throat (MedlinePlus) |
For caring for a child with a high temperature, see our guide to demam (fever). If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, ask a pharmacist or doctor which painkiller is suitable for you.
Komplikasi beguk pada orang dewasa dan wanita
Most people recover without problems, but complications are more likely in teenagers and adults (NHS) and much less likely in people who have been vaccinated (CDC Pink Book).
| Complication | What happens | How common |
|---|---|---|
| Oophoritis (swollen ovaries) | Lower tummy (pelvic) pain, which can be mistaken for appendicitis (CDC Pink Book) | About 7% of women who caught mumps after puberty before vaccines; 1% or fewer in vaccinated women (CDC Pink Book) |
| Mastitis (swollen breasts) | Painful, swollen breast tissue | About 30% of women after puberty before vaccines; 1% or fewer in vaccinated women (CDC Pink Book) |
| Orchitis (swollen testicles) | Painful, swollen testicle, usually on one side. About half of affected men have some shrinking of that testicle (CDC Pink Book) | About 30% of unvaccinated and 6% of vaccinated men after puberty (CDC Pink Book). Studies have not shown that it makes men more likely to be infertile (CDC Pink Book) |
| Meningitis | Inflammation of the lining of the brain, with a severe headache, stiff neck and dislike of bright light. Usually mild (CDC Pink Book) | Up to 10% without vaccination; 1% or less now (CDC Pink Book) |
| Pancreatitis | Inflamed pancreas, causing tummy or back pain and vomiting (NHS) | Up to 4% without vaccination; 1% or less now (CDC Pink Book) |
| Hearing loss | Usually in one ear and usually temporary, but it can be permanent (NHS; CDC Pink Book) | Up to 4% without vaccination; 1% or less now (CDC Pink Book) |
| Encephalitis | Inflammation of the brain, with confusion or seizures | Rare (CDC Pink Book) |
Lasting damage and death from mumps are very rare (CDC Pink Book). If your husband or son has painful, swollen testicles after mumps, he should see a doctor.
Beguk semasa mengandung
Is it dangerous? Mumps in pregnancy is usually no more severe than in women who are not pregnant (CDC). The evidence on the baby is limited and mostly old:
- A study from 1966 linked mumps in the first 3 months of pregnancy to a higher rate of miscarriage, but other studies have not found this (CDC).
- In a German study of 62 pregnant women with confirmed mumps, all 4 miscarriages happened in women infected in the first 3 months, but overall rates of miscarriage and premature birth did not appear higher than usual. None of the 26 babies tested had signs of infection in cord blood (Enders 2005).
- There are reports of birth defects, but the only controlled study found similar rates in mothers with and without mumps (CDC).
If you are pregnant and develop swollen cheeks, or have been close to someone with mumps, call your doctor or antenatal clinic before going in. Ask which painkiller is safe for you.
MMR and pregnancy. The MMR vaccine contains weakened live viruses, so it is not given during pregnancy, and you should avoid getting pregnant for 28 days after it (CDC). If it is given by mistake during pregnancy, that is not a reason to end the pregnancy; talk to your doctor about the small theoretical risk (CDC). After giving birth, MMR can be given while breastfeeding: CDC says live vaccines given to a breastfeeding mother do not affect the safety of breastfeeding.
Before pregnancy. MMR also protects against rubella (German measles), which can cause miscarriage and damage to a baby’s sight, hearing, heart or brain if caught early in pregnancy (NHS). If you are planning a baby and are not sure you are protected, ask your doctor about a blood test or the vaccine; see our guide to cara cepat hamil (getting ready for pregnancy).
Vaksin MMR di Malaysia
The MMR vaccine protects against measles (campak), mumps (beguk) and rubella. It is part of Malaysia’s free National Immunisation Programme (Program Imunisasi Kebangsaan) for children.
| What to know | |
|---|---|
| Current schedule | 2 doses, at 9 months and 12 months, for babies born from 1 July 2015. Before that, the doses were given at 12 months and 7 years (The Star). |
| How well it works | Against mumps: about 86% effective after 2 doses and about 72% after 1 dose (CDC) |
| Can you still get mumps? | Yes, but it is usually milder with fewer complications (CDC). Outbreaks have occurred even in well-vaccinated countries, mostly among young adults (Hviid 2008). In 2016, five male students in a university dormitory in Kota Kinabalu developed mumps (Fong 2022) |
| Common side effects | Fever or a mild rash 1 to 2 weeks after the jab, and aching joints, which are more common in adult women (CDC Pink Book). These usually pass within a few days |
| Who should not have it | Pregnant women, people with a severely weakened immune system, and anyone who has had a severe allergic reaction to a previous dose or an ingredient (CDC; NHS) |
| Ramadan | The NHS notes that many Muslim scholars say the MMR vaccine can be given while fasting, because it is injected into the muscle |
Were you vaccinated against mumps? Malaysia’s measles vaccination programme began in 1982, and the 2-dose MMR vaccine was introduced in 2004 (Kumar 2023). Many adults who were children before then may never have had a mumps vaccine. If you are not sure, check your old health record book or ask your doctor whether you need a dose.
MMR and autism. Large studies over many years have shown that MMR does not cause autism; see our guide to autisme. For measles and chickenpox, see our guide to cacar air dan campak.
Children can get the National Immunisation Programme vaccines free at a klinik kesihatan. Bring your child’s health record book (buku rekod kesihatan) to every visit, and ask about catch-up doses if any were missed.
Bila perlu jumpa doktor
See a doctor or go to a klinik kesihatan if:
- you think you or your child has mumps, so it can be confirmed (call ahead, as it spreads easily) (NHS);
- you are pregnant and have swollen cheeks or have been close to someone with mumps;
- you have tummy or back pain, which can be a sign of swollen ovaries or the pancreas (NHS);
- there is painful swelling of the testicles (NHS);
- there is red eyes, constant drowsiness or constant vomiting (MedlinePlus);
- there is a swelling at the front of the neck that is not going away, which may be a thyroid problem rather than mumps.
Go to the emergency department or call 999 if someone with mumps has a very bad headache, a stiff neck, a dislike of bright light, vomiting, confusion, a seizure or faints (NHS), or finds it hard to breathe. These can be signs of meningitis or encephalitis. Our guide to sakit kepala lists other headache warning signs.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Apa itu beguk (what is mumps)?
Beguk (mumps) is a viral infection that makes the salivary glands in front of the ears and along the jaw swell, so the cheeks look puffy. It spreads through saliva and droplets from coughs and sneezes. Most people get better within 2 weeks (NHS). It can be prevented with the MMR vaccine, which Malaysian babies get free at 9 and 12 months.
Apakah tanda-tanda beguk (what are the signs of mumps)?
The main sign is painful swelling of one or both cheeks and the jaw, which can make chewing, swallowing or talking hurt (NHS). A few days before the swelling, there may be fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness and loss of appetite. In about 1 in 4 people only one side swells (CDC), and some people have no symptoms at all.
Beguk berjangkit berapa lama (how long is mumps contagious)?
Mumps spreads most from 2 days before the swelling starts until 5 days after (CDC). Symptoms usually appear 16 to 18 days after catching it, but it can be 12 to 25 days. Stay home from work, school or nursery for at least 5 days after the swelling starts, and do not share cups, cutlery or towels (NHS; CDC).
Beguk dan tiroid bengkak sama ke (is beguk the same as goitre)?
Not usually. Beguk is the common Malay word for mumps (Kamus Inggeris-Melayu Dewan), a short viral infection that swells the cheeks and jaw. However, the Kamus Dewan also uses beguk for a swollen thyroid (goitre), a usually painless swelling at the lower front of the neck that builds up slowly and is not contagious (DBP; NHS). If the swelling is at the front of the neck rather than the cheeks, see a doctor to check your thyroid.
Apa ubat beguk dan berapa lama sembuh (what is the treatment and how long does it last)?
There is no medicine that kills the mumps virus. Rest, drink plenty of fluids, eat soft food, and use paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain and fever; never give aspirin to children under 16 (NHS; MedlinePlus). A warm or cool compress on the cheeks can ease pain. The swelling usually peaks in 1 to 3 days and settles over the next week, and most people recover within 2 weeks (CDC; NHS).
Orang dewasa boleh kena beguk (can adults get mumps)?
Yes. Mumps can happen at any age, and complications are more likely in teenagers and adults (NHS). Before vaccines, about 7% of women who caught mumps after puberty had swollen ovaries (oophoritis) and about 30% of men had swollen testicles (orchitis); these are much rarer in vaccinated people (CDC). Meningitis, pancreatitis and hearing loss can also happen.
Beguk semasa mengandung bahaya ke (is mumps dangerous in pregnancy)?
Mumps in pregnancy is usually no more severe than in other adults (CDC). One 1966 study linked mumps in the first 3 months of pregnancy to more miscarriages, but other studies have not found this, and a controlled study found no increase in birth defects (CDC). If you are pregnant and have mumps or have been in close contact with someone who has it, call your doctor or antenatal clinic.
Dah ambil vaksin MMR, boleh kena beguk lagi (can you get mumps after the MMR vaccine)?
Yes, but it is less likely and usually milder. Two doses of MMR are about 86% effective against mumps, and one dose about 72% (CDC). Vaccinated people who catch mumps are less likely to have severe symptoms or complications (CDC). Outbreaks still happen among young adults who live close together, such as in a university dormitory in Sabah in 2016 (Fong 2022).
Vaksin MMR umur berapa di Malaysia (when is the MMR vaccine given in Malaysia)?
Under the National Immunisation Programme, babies born from 1 July 2015 get MMR at 9 months and 12 months, (The Star), free at government clinics. Before this, the doses were given at 12 months and 7 years. Check your child’s health record book, or ask your klinik kesihatan if a dose was missed.
Perlu ambil vaksin MMR sebelum mengandung (should I get MMR before pregnancy)?
If you are not sure you are protected, ask your doctor before trying for a baby. MMR also protects against rubella, which can cause miscarriage and damage to a baby’s sight, hearing, heart or brain if caught early in pregnancy (NHS). MMR is not given during pregnancy, and you should avoid getting pregnant for 28 days after it (CDC). It can be given while breastfeeding (CDC).
Disclaimer
This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for advice, diagnosis or treatment from a doctor or other healthcare professional. Talk to your doctor or klinik kesihatan about symptoms, vaccines and medicines, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or caring for a young child.
References
- About mumps — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Clinical overview of mumps — CDC
- Clinical features of mumps — CDC
- Mumps vaccine recommendations — CDC
- Epidemiology and prevention of vaccine-preventable diseases (Pink Book), chapter 15: mumps — CDC
- Guidelines for vaccinating pregnant women — CDC
- Mumps — NHS
- MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine — NHS
- Rubella (german measles) — NHS
- Goitre — NHS
- Mumps — MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia
- Beguk — Pusat Rujukan Persuratan Melayu, Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (Kamus Dewan Edisi Keempat)
- Mumps — Pusat Rujukan Persuratan Melayu, Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (Kamus Inggeris-Melayu Dewan)
- Early vaccine jabs for the babies — The Star, 1 April 2016
- Hviid A, et al. Mumps. Lancet. 2008;371(9616):932-44.
- Enders M, et al. [Frequency of spontaneous abortion and premature birth after acute mumps infection in pregnancy]. Gynakol Geburtshilfliche Rundsch. 2005;45(1):39-43.
- Fong SY, et al. Mumps outbreak in university students: first detection of mumps virus genotype F in Borneo. Trop Med Health. 2022;50(1):20.
- Kumar SS, et al. Evaluating effective measles vaccine coverage in the Malaysian population accounting for between-dose correlation and vaccine efficacy. BMC Public Health. 2023;23(1):2351.
