Overview

Mumps is a contagious viral infection primarily affecting the salivary glands. Spread through respiratory droplets, it presents with swelling of the parotid glands, causing pain and fever. Mild symptoms, including headache and exhaustion, are present during the beginning of the illness. However, it usually results in parotitis, a severe swelling of some salivary glands that causes swollen, puffy cheeks and a sore jaw. Vaccination has significantly reduced mumps cases, emphasising the importance of immunisation in preventing the spread of this viral illness.

The mumps was once a highly prevalent paediatric illness. The number of cases drastically decreased after the mumps vaccine was made available in 1967. Nonetheless, mumps outbreaks continue, particularly when people reside in close proximity for an extended period, like on college campuses.

Vaccinating your child against measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) is one way to safeguard them. Even though mumps is typically a mild illness, major side effects are possible.

Causes of Mumps

The mumps virus causes the illness known as mumps. Saliva or other respiratory secretions from an individual with the illness can spread it. When someone gets the mumps, the virus enters the salivary glands through the respiratory system, multiplies, and causes the glands to enlarge.

The following are some instances of how the mumps might spread:

Coughing or sneezing.
Using the same dishes and silverware that an infected person has used.
Sharing food and beverages with an infected person.
Embracing.
An infected individual touches their mouth or nose and then transfers the infection to a surface others could touch.

For around 15 days—six days before symptoms appear and up to nine days after they do—those who have contracted the mumps virus are contagious.

Symptoms of Mumps

The patient usually experiences mumps symptoms two to three weeks after contracting the infection. Nevertheless, about 20% of virus-positive individuals show no symptoms at all.

First, flu-like symptoms will manifest, including:

Physical pains
Head Pain
Nausea or loss of appetite
All-around weary
A low-grade fever

The typical mumps symptoms will appear during the next few days. One of the three sets of salivary glands, the parotid glands, are bloated and uncomfortable, which causes the person's cheeks to swell. Typically, the swelling develops in waves rather than all at once.

Other related symptoms that may exist are:

The enlarged areas on the sides of the face hurt.
A soreness was felt during swallowing.
Difficulty swallowing.
Fever (with a maximum temperature of 103 degrees F).
A parched mouth.
Joint pain.

Adults can very seldom have mumps. The symptoms are mostly the same in these situations. However, they can occasionally worsen, and consequences are more likely.

An adult exhibiting Mumps symptoms

Treatment of Mumps

Antibiotics and other treatments do not affect the mumps because it is a virus. One can address the symptoms to improve your comfort level when ill. They consist of:

When someone is feeling worn out or weak, take a nap.
One should take over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen to lower the fever.
Applying cold packs can help relieve inflamed glands.
If one has a fever, stay hydrated by drinking lots of water.
Consume soft foods like soups, yoghurts, and other easy-chew items.
Steer clear of acidic foods and drinks since these may exacerbate salivary gland irritation.

If one feels well enough, one can typically resume work or school one week after a doctor diagnoses the individual with the mumps. One is no longer infectious at this time. The mumps typically clears up in a few weeks. One should be feeling better after ten days of being sick.

The majority of mumps patients are unable to catch the illness again. Having contracted the virus once shields one against contracting it again.

When to Consult a Doctor

You can also get in touch with the expert doctors at Narayana Healthcare based in your city to get immediate attention and medical support during injuries, health disorders or any other health concern.

Conclusion

The mumps is often a mild case of the virus. Your youngster may experience mild symptoms that mimic a cold if they come into contact with the virus. Usually, a few days later, patients will have excruciating swelling in their salivary glands. The chance of your child contracting the mumps and infecting others is significantly decreased by vaccination. It also lessens the likelihood that they may experience any major side effects from the illness.

Frequently Asked Questions About Mumps

Q. How should one care for the child if they get the mumps?
A. For two to three weeks, the child can experience moderate symptoms. The child must stay as far away from other people as possible because the illness is contagious.

Q. How much time does the mumps last?
A. The majority of kids recover completely from the mumps in a matter of weeks. After the swelling has subsided, the child is eligible to return to school for approximately a week.

Q. Is it possible to acquire the mumps twice?
A. It is improbable that a youngster who has had the mumps once in their lifetime will contract it again. However, keeping your child's vaccines up to date is the greatest method to protect them from the mumps.

Q. Is it possible to spread the mumps?
A. Indeed, mumps is a highly transmissible viral infection. The child can spread the mumps from a few days before their glands swell to up to five days after the swelling starts.

Q. When having the mumps, what food should be avoided?
A. Avoid consuming acidic meals and beverages. During the mumps, the salivary glands hurt a lot. They will typically hurt more after eating these meals.

Reference

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15007-mumps
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mumps/symptoms-causes/syc-20375361