Mumps: Health-Wise Guidelines and Vital Information about Mumps

by | Sep 12, 2020 | Research | 0 comments

What is mumps?

Mumps is a contagious disease caused by a virus that passes from one person to another through saliva, nasal secretions, and close personal contact. This condition primarily affects the salivary glands (parotid glands). These glands are responsible for the production of saliva. Having briefly stated what mumps means, other health wise guidelines and vital information about mumps are key to address.

Symptoms of mumps

The hallmark symptom of mumps is swelling of the salivary glands.

Other symptoms usually appear within two weeks of exposure to the virus. Flu-like symptoms may be the first to appear, which includes:

  1. Fatigue
  2. Body aches
  3. Headache
  4. Loss of appetite
  5. Low-grade fever

Most people who contract mumps show symptoms of the virus. However, some people have no or very few symptoms.

Possible treatment for mumps?

Since it is a viral disease, it doesn’t respond to antibiotics or other medications. However, you can treat the symptoms to make yourself more comfortable while you’re sick. The following treatment can be done:

  1. Rest when you feel weak or tired.
  2. Take over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen, to bring down your fever.
  3. Soothe swollen glands by applying ice packs.
  4. Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration due to fever.
  5. Eat a soft diet of soup, yogurt, and other foods that aren’t hard to chew (chewing may be painful when your glands are swollen).
  6. Avoid acidic foods and beverages that may cause more pain in your salivary glands.

Interestingly, those that have contracted the diseases are free from getting infected for the second time, having it once protect you against it for another time.

Possible complications associated with mumps

Complications from mumps are rare, but can be serious if left untreated. Mumps mostly affects the parotid glands. However, it can also cause inflammation in other areas of the body, such as:

  1. Orchitis, inflammation of the testicles that may be due to mumps
  2. Inflammation of ovary in females
  3. Tendency of having a miscarriage if a woman contracts it during pregnancy, most especially in the first trimester
  4. It may lead to meningitis or encephalitis
  5. Pancreatitis, inflammation of the pancreas
  6. The mumps virus also leads to permanent hearing loss

How can mumps be prevented?

Vaccination can prevent mumps. Most infants and children receive a vaccine for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) at the same time. The first MMR shot is generally given between the ages of 12 and 15 months at a routine well-child visit. A second vaccination is necessary for school-aged children between 4 and 6 years old. With two doses, it will be hard to contract

Mumps diagnosis

Your healthcare provider may be able to diagnose mumps based on your symptoms and a physical exam. You may need a blood test to confirm the infection.

Our advice at ALTH

Even though mumps hasn’t been known to be fatal like other viral infections, however, it is safe to keep to the precautions, which include

  1. Avoid sharing cutlery and eating utensil
  2. Embrace proper hygiene and handwashing
  3. Seek consultation once you notice swelling in your mouth
  4. Register your child for immunization and other medical checks up
  5. Desist from random kissing.

We can assist in:

Confirmation the infection upon diagnosis

Conduct thorough investigation indicating your immune system

More guarantee in monitoring and managing its complication