<s>[INST] hi, im male 37 years old and i assume i have mumps as i have two huge lumps by the jaw which started on the right side and then now the left side has grown almost the same. I had fever for a few days and today the 4th day, i check for temperature and its 36.8 normal so i was wondering if i can shower? reason im asking is i heard rumours if i shower, it will spread to the testicles and get it swollen as well. [/INST] hi sir.. first you should know that mumps is caused by viral infection and it is self limited disease ..for diagnosis of mumps we depend mainly on clinical symptoms and signs such as mild fever , pain , hedache, fatigue, loss of appetite...symptoms vary between person and another...we dont do laboratory test except when we want to exclude other causes...as i said it is self limited ..few days you will be fine and will have long last immunity....2nd part of your question about the shower i would like to tell you take shower when you want ..dont warry about that ...that rumours you heard about testicles affected by mumps not because of shower...there may be some complication of mumps cause inflammation of testis..shower will not affect that......dont warry ....take care of your health...and thank you for contacting us </s>