Mumps Overview
Mumps is a contagious, viral disease of the salivary glands, especially the parotid glands. The viral infection spreads when an infected person sneezes, coughs or speaks and releases saliva, mucus, or respiratory droplets from their mouth, nose that might spread the disease to others.
The most noticeable symptom of this disease is that the patient develops a painfully enlarged "hamster-like face," also known as "chipmunk cheeks." However, this well-known symptom is the last to appear, following a high temperature, a headache, and other flu-like symptoms.
Symptoms
The symptoms of mumps usually appear between 12 and 25 days after a person has been exposed to the mumps virus. The symptoms include:
- Loss of appetite
- Flu-like symptoms including sneezing, coughing, and high fever (103F)
- Painful swollen and puffy cheeks
- Muscle and body pain
- Weakness and tremendous fatigue
- Abdominal pain in adolescent girls due to swollen ovarie
- Pain in the throat while swallowing and drinking
- Nausea
- Pain in testicles among adolescent boys
- Dry mouth
Mumps symptoms might resemble those of other diseases or disorders. For a diagnosis, always consult the physician.
When to see a doctor?
If you or your kid shows mumps symptoms, visit a doctor. You'll receive an accurate evaluation from the doctor. Severe symptoms include
- Back pain
- Severe drowsiness
- High fever
- Swollen or painful testicles
- Neck stiffness
- Abdominal pain
Causes
Mumps is an easily transmissible viral infection. When a sick person coughs or sneezes, you can be infected by coming in direct contact with an infected person’s saliva or respiratory droplets. The mumps spread quickly, it may therefore easily spread from one individual to another.
It's crucial to avoid daycare, school, job, or any other outgoing activities if you have the mumps infection. Wait until the doctor determines that you can no longer transmit the disease to others.
Before the swelling in the face even begins, patients are infected with the disease. As long as there is facial swelling, or after nine days from the beginning of any swelling of the face, you will still be contagious.
Risk factors
Factors that may increase the risk of this problem are:
- Being in crowded settings, such as a school assembly, any social gatherings e.g wedding, parties, etc
- Being exposed to someone with mumps
- Living or travelling to places where mumps infection is common
- No history of mumps immunization
- Having a weak immune system
Complications
Mumps-related complications are uncommon but dangerous if neglected. The parotid glands are mostly impacted by mumps. The brain and reproductive organs are two more body parts where it may induce inflammation.
Most mumps problems include swelling and inflammation in specific body parts, including:
- Brain Inflammation : Mumps and other viral diseases can cause the brain to become inflamed (encephalitis). Neurological issues and potential death can result from encephalitis.
- Membranes and fluid around the brain and spinal cord : Meningitis is a disorder in which the membranes and fluid around the brain and spinal cord become infected by the mumps virus when it enters the blood circulation and attacks the central nervous system.
- Pancreas : Upper abdominal discomfort, nausea, and vomiting are some observed in pancreatitis, due to the mumps infection.
Other complications of mumps include:
- Hearing loss: : One or both ears may experience hearing loss. Though uncommon, hearing loss can occasionally be irreversible.
- Heart problems : Rarely, heart conditions such as irregular pulse and heart muscle illnesses have been linked to mumps.
- Miscarriage: : Having mumps during pregnancy, especially in the beginning, might result in miscarriage.
Prevention -
A vaccine can protect against mumps. The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination is the name of the vaccine and it can be given to any age group. But it's often given to newborns between the ages of 9 and 15 months, and booster doses till 5 years.
The vaccine effectiveness requires two dosages. Two doses are 85% (range - 32%- 95%) effective and one dose is 75% (range - 49% - 91%) effective in preventing mumps.
In areas with poor immunisation rates, outbreaks can still happen. If you haven't received it, get a mumps vaccine especially if you work in a public environment
Diagnosis
Common signs and symptoms are used to make the diagnosis of mumps. The neck and lower face swelling indicates mumps infection.
Additionally, a few diagnostic tests might confirm the diagnosis. The blood tests and saliva samples taken from the mouth of the sick person are useful. Imaging tests may be performed to evaluate the effects of the disease. A medical professional might also:
- Do a temperature check on the patient.
- Check inside the mouth to see the position of the tonsils
- To be sure of the diagnosis, collect a sample of blood, urine, or saliva.
- CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) samples from the spine can be taken for testing, however, this is often only done in extreme situations.
Treatment
There is no specific drug or treatment to cure mumps. Antibiotics and other treatments are ineffective against the virus that causes the mumps, as it is a viral infection. Few measures can be used to reduce the discomfort. These consist of-
- Apply heat or ice on swelling cheeks.
- Take acetaminophen for pain. Take ibuprofen for pain and swelling. Never give aspirin to children or teenagers 18 years old or younger. This increases the risk of Reye’s syndrome. This syndrome is a serious illness that can cause death.
- Drink a lot of liquids.
- Eat soft meals that you can chew quickly.
- Citrus fruits and other meals that make your mouth wet or are acidic should be avoided to prevent excess saliva production.
- Gargle with warm salt water regularly.
- Try popsicles to relieve throat discomfort.
- After symptoms start, stay away from other individuals for at least five days.
Those who have had the mumps once in their lifetime develop lifelong immunity to it. This implies that you can't catch it again.
Dos and Don’ts
Parents may experience anxiety and tension after getting a mumps diagnosis. Both children and adults may experience pain as a result of this medical problem. On the other hand, the illness often goes away on its own in 10 to 12 days. You simply have to let everything proceed naturally. However, early diagnosis and treatment can assist patients in reducing the symptoms and avoiding more serious problems. Muscle weakness and drowsiness might result from the mumps.
In order to prevent dehydration brought on by fever, patients will need to get enough rest and drink lots of fluids. For pain and swelling, apply a warm and cold compress on the affected part. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen are non-aspirin drugs that can help you in controlling the pain brought on by the mumps.
| Do’s | Don’ts |
| Wash the hands with water and soap frequently. | Do outside activities e.g going to job, school, etc. |
| Cover the mouth while coughing and sneezing. | Share cups, glasses or utensils among family members. |
| Use effective over-the-counter medications. | Take medicines without consulting the doctor. |
| Drink plenty of fluids | Eat sour foods like citrus fruits |
| Get MMR vaccine | Eat hard foods that need more chewing. |
By following the dos and don'ts for mumps disease it is easy to control the symptoms and avoid complications. Take care of yourself, sleep well, and rest to recover faster.
Mumps Care at Medicover Hospitals
We have the best team of pediatricians and other specialists at Medicover hospitals who treat Mumps and its severe symptoms. Our highly trained pediatricians use the most up-to-date diagnostic techniques and procedures to conduct tests, diagnose, and treat Mumps in adults and infants. Our medical experts work closely with the patients to monitor their health and treatment progress to achieve a faster and more sustained recovery.
Citations
Overview - MumpsMumps
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