Mumps Or Parotitis

Mumps (also known as mumps) is a contagious disease caused by a virus that is passed from one person to another through saliva, nasal secretions, and close personal contact.

The condition mainly affects the salivary glands, also called the parotid glands. These glands are responsible for producing saliva.

There are three sets of salivary glands on each side of the face, located behind and below the ears. The characteristic symptom of mumps is painful swelling of the salivary glands. Read on to find out all about this disease.

Mumps symptoms

Symptoms generally appear within two weeks of being exposed to the virus. At first, the signs that occur are usually similar to those of the flu:

• fatigue
• body pain
• low fever
• headache
• loss of appetite

A high fever of 39 ° C and swelling of the salivary glands occur for the next few days. The glands may not all swell at once. They usually swell and become painful periodically.

You are more likely to pass the mumps virus to another person from the time you come in contact with the virus until your parotid glands swell.

Most people who get mumps show symptoms of the virus. However, some people have few or no symptoms.

Complications associated with mumps

Complications from mumps are rare, but they can be serious if not treated early. Mumps mainly affects the parotid glands. However, they can also cause inflammation in other areas of the body, including the brain and reproductive organs.

Orchitis is an inflammation of the testicles that can be caused by mumps. You can control orchitis pain by placing cold compresses on the testicles several times a day. Your doctor can recommend prescription pain relievers if needed. In rare cases, orchitis can cause sterility.

Women infected with mumps may experience swelling of the ovaries. The inflammation can be painful but does not damage a woman’s eggs. However, if a woman contracts mumps during pregnancy, she has a higher than normal risk of miscarriage.

Mumps can lead to meningitis or encephalitis, two life-threatening conditions if left untreated. Meningitis is the swelling of the membranes that surround the spinal cord and brain. Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain. Both can cause neurological problems.

Contact your doctor if you experience seizures, loss of consciousness, or severe headaches while you have mumps.

Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, an organ in the abdominal cavity. Mumps-induced pancreatitis is a temporary condition. Symptoms include abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting.

The mumps virus also leads to permanent hearing loss in about 5 out of 10,000 cases. The virus damages the cochlea, one of the structures in your inner ear that makes hearing easier.

In pregnant women, there is a risk of miscarriage if mumps is contracted, especially during the first trimester of pregnancy.

Prevention of mumps

Vaccination can prevent mumps. Most babies and children receive a MMR vaccine against measles, mumps, and rubella at the same time. The first MMR vaccine is usually given between 12 and 15 months of age at a routine pediatrician visit.

A second vaccine is necessary for school-age children between 4 and 6 years old. With two doses, the mumps vaccine is about 88% effective. The single dose effectiveness rate is around 78%.

Those who work in a high-risk environment, such as a hospital or school, should always get vaccinated against mumps. However, people who have compromised immune systems, are allergic to gelatin or neomycin, or are pregnant should not receive the MMR vaccine.

When to seek medical help?

If you suspect that you or your child has mumps, see your doctor. Inform your doctor’s office before admission that you suspect mumps. This way you won’t have to wait that long in the waiting room, possibly infecting others.

Other viruses can infect the parotid glands, causing a mumps-like illness.  Swollen salivary glands and fever can be an indication of swollen tonsils (tonsillitis) or a blocked salivary gland.

Treatment for mumps

Because mumps is a virus, it does not respond to antibiotics or other medications. However, you can treat the symptoms to make yourself more comfortable while you are sick. Therefore:

• Rest when you feel weak or physically exhausted.

• Apply ice packs to soothe swollen glands.

• Drink plenty of fluids  to avoid dehydration due to fever.

• Take over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen, to lower a fever.

• Eat a bland diet of soup, yogurt, and other foods that are not difficult to chew (chewing can be painful when the glands are swollen). Avoid acidic foods and drinks that can cause more pain in your salivary glands.

Mumps usually runs its course in a couple of weeks. Ten days after your illness, you should feel better. Most people who get mumps do not get the disease a second time. Having the virus once would protect you against re-infection.

However, currently, there are wind cases of mumps in people who are vaccinated. The possibility of adding one more booster dose to those established for the MMR vaccine, which protects against this disease, is being studied.