4. Viral meningitis
A complication that doesn’t target either men or women, and that can affect either of the sexes is viral meningitis, which can occur if the mumps virus spreads and is allowed to enter into the outer protective layer of the brain. This worrying complication actually occurs in about 1 in 7 cases of mumps, making it a little more common than some people might have previously thought.
Unlike its namesake, bacterial meningitis, which is regarded as a very dangerous and even potentially life-threatening medical emergency, viral meningitis causes much milder, flu-like symptoms, and the risk of serious complications is low. That said, the risk of serious complications isn’t null, and so keeping a careful eye on the condition as well as any changes to symptoms is well advised.
Some of the characteristic symptoms of this complication include things like a temporary sensitivity to light, neck stiffness and painful headaches which all usually pass within 14 days.