 What is mumps? And how is it contagious? In the same way that SARS-CoV-2 is contagious, which is it spreads by small respiratory droplets that emanate from the mouth and nose. So like coughing, sneezing, talking, kissing. And mostly the virus-infected children. And the main symptom of mumps is that your face kind of swells up. Like your cheeks swell up and around your jaw. So you have this chipmunk-like appearance.