Mumps: What it is, Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Mumps: What it is, Causes, Symptoms and Treatment. In addition,  mumps is also known as papera or infectious parotitis and is classified as a viral infection that mainly affects the parotid glands – located below the ears to below the chin, responsible for the production of saliva.

It is a common disease in children up to 2 years old who do not have the triple viral vaccine, however, it can affect adults equally, it usually happens in the winter and spring seasons. Although this disease is more common in children and adolescents, it can also occur in adults, even if they have already been vaccinated against mumps .

Causes:  Mumps is   caused by a virus, which spreads from person to person through infected saliva. If you haven’t been vaccinated, you can get mumps from talking very close to the infected person, kissing them or sharing utensils such as cutlery, cups and plates.

Once infected with mumps , a person can infect others in the period from six days before symptoms start to about 9 days after symptoms start. The incubation period (time to onset of symptoms) can be 14 to 25 days, with 16 to 18 days being more common.

Humans are the only natural host of mumps . This means that it is only possible to contract it through contact with another infected person, not being possible to contract it from animals or plants.

Symptoms:  Among the symptoms of Mumps , one of the first and main symptoms is excessive swelling of the salivary glands: the lower part of the face in the region below the ears swells – it can be on one side or both at the same time;

• Temporary deafness in the ear on the side with the swollen glands;
• Fever above 38º C;
• Swelling of the face between the ear and the chin;
• Headache and face pain;
• When biting, it is possible to feel pressure in the ear on the affected side;
• Fatigue and lack of strength;
• loss of appetite;
• Pain at the site;
• Dry mouth sensation;
• Pain when trying to eat, swallow, chew or open your mouth.

Treatment:  The diagnosis is clinical and with the aid of a blood test. There is no specific treatment, what is done is to relieve the symptoms with anti-inflammatories. Rest, the use of analgesic drugs and observation of possible complications are indicated. In the case of inflammation in the testicles, rest and the use of scrotal braces are essential for pain relief.

Recommendations:

• Offer liquid or pasty foods, which are easier to swallow;
• Keep the patient at rest until the symptoms have disappeared;
• Do not self-medicate or medicate your child before consulting a doctor and having a definite diagnosis of Mumps ;
• Attention women who have never had mumps , nor have been vaccinated: look for a post to be vaccinated before getting pregnant. During pregnancy, the disease can cause miscarriage.

Remember: adults who have not been vaccinated or have not had the disease can be infected with the mumps virus and therefore should be vaccinated.