Fever
Fever is one of the most prevalent symptoms, and it may appear before the salivary glands start swelling. In the prodromal state, patients may have a combination of low-grade fever, malaise, and muscle pain, also known as myalgia. This is a very unspecific combination of symptoms that appears in the introductory phase of many different infectious diseases.
In later stages of the infection, patients may experience higher fever that stays throughout the day. In cases of high-grade fever, and especially in younger patients and older adults, it is very important to detect alarm signs and symptoms. Very high fever with vomiting of neck stiffness is not a good sign and may indicate nervous system involvement.