Parotitis – What is it, Causes, Symptoms and Treatments!
Parotitis – What is it, Causes, Symptoms and Treatments of this condition. Also, mumps is an extremely contagious viral infection of the salivary glands that most commonly affects children. The affected salivary glands are called parotid glands; Sometimes the mumps virus can also cause inflammation of the testicle, ovary, pancreas, or meninges (membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord).
To reduce the spread of mumps , the MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, mumps and rubella) is often given at an early age to build immunity to the virus. Once the MMR vaccination was brought in, there was a 99 percent decrease in mumps cases in the United States.
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Causes: The main cause is the mumps virus , which spreads easily from person to person through infected saliva. If you are not immune, you can contract it by breathing in droplets of saliva from an infected person who has just sneezed or coughed . You can also get mumps from sharing utensils or cups with someone who has it.
Symptoms: Symptoms usually appear within two weeks of exposure to the virus. Flu-like symptoms may be the first to appear, including:
Diagnostics: The blood test to detect is quite complex and time consuming. While any family doctor can recognize most cases of mumps by physical examination, blood testing is done for public health reasons, especially as there are other viruses that can cause mumps-like symptoms .
Treatments: There is no treatment per se, but age-appropriate pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help relieve some of the symptoms.
- A cold compress, such as a damp flannel, can help relieve the pain of swollen glands.
- Rest and drinking plenty of fluids may be advised, as well as having food such as soup that does not need to be chewed.
- Always seek medical advice if you suspect parotitis .
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Prevention: Can be prevented in 95% of cases by having routine MMR vaccination in childhood or later in life.