Clinical Picture of Mumps

Mumps is a viral infection that affects the salivary glands. It spreads through saliva. Salivary glands are located at the back of both the cheeks and when mumps occurs they swell up and cause pain. Coming in contact with the saliva of the infected person can spread it.

Mumps mostly affect the children who are above one year but in some cases adults may also be affected. In males testicles and pancreas can be affected and in women ovaries can be affected.

Symptoms

Mumps start with high fever, headache, muscle ache, tiredness and loss of appetite. As the salivary glands swell up, the face of the child looks swollen. Drinking, eating and chewing become difficult. Pain in abdomen can also be felt. The swelling goes off in a week and the full infection takes at least 10 to 15 days to vanish.

Prevention

Vaccination has been made to prevent mumps. Children at the age of 12 to 13 months are given first dose of this vaccination. Second dose is given at the age of 4.

Treatment

As such there is no treatment for mumps. It can only be prevented by the vaccination. One gets attacked by mumps only once in lifetime. However, 1 in 100 can have the second attack too.

Some home care should be taken for the person suffering from mumps. Drinking lots of water is very beneficial. Painkillers should be taken to get relief from the pain. Children with mumps should not be sent to school as they can spread the disease in other children.

Putting an ice pack or hot pack is very good for reducing the pain. Eating and drinking sour things should be stopped immediately. Ginger paste when applied to the swelling area reduces the pain and swelling.

As such this is not very dangerous but one needs to consult the doctor when you feel dehydrated, there is continuous vomiting, stiffness in the neck, pain in the abdomen or pain in the scrotum.