Index
Mumps or mumps as it is known, is an infectious disease caused by a virus that causes great inflammation in the parotids, sublingual and submaxillary glands. It usually manifests itself in children and offers no danger other than the great discomfort caused by the swelling.
When contracted in adulthood, mumps can cause serious damage when the inflammation goes down to the testicles and ovaries, which can result in infertility . Even though it is a benign disease, some complications such as deafness, neuritis, pancreatitis and aseptic meningitis were found after contracting the disease. The incubation period of the disease is two to three weeks, with the list of mumps symptoms more evident, the increase in salivary glands just below the ear, causing the face to swell. In addition to the evident swelling, it is common for the disease to cause the following symptoms:
- High fever
- Severe headaches
- Chills
- Muscle aches and difficulty chewing
Fatigue and weakness are also apparent symptoms of mumps, and when contracted in adults it can cause swelling and pain in the testicles of men and very severe pain in the ovaries in the case of women. Nipple stiffness accompanied by severe pain can be a symptom of meningitis which is one of the complications that the disease can present. Transmission is through a virus known as paramyxovirus, highly contagious and transmitted through direct contact with infected people. Mumps usually occur in spring and winter.
How to Avoid and Treat Mumps in Children?
In the basic calendar of childhood vaccination, it is recommended to apply the mumps vaccine, or rather, the triple viral vaccine that protects in addition to mumps, rubella and measles and are provided for children in the 15 months of life. The vaccinated child reduces the chances of contracting the disease by 98%, which is why it is so important that we keep the vaccines up to date for our little ones. When the disease is contracted, the child or adult must not attend school and work, leaving at least nine days after the appearance of the mumps, and cleaning and disinfection of the objects used by the child is still necessary. Especially those who had contact with the patient’s saliva and other secretions.
If you have had direct contact with someone infected, it is recommended to look for a doctor to request the blocking vaccination , thus avoiding the manifestation of the disease, remembering that the vaccine is only released and recommended for those who have had direct contact and are at risk of having contracted. The treatment of mumps does not consist of using any medication, except for fever control using antipyretics and in the case of pain, analgesics. The patient must remain in absolute rest, which will be a fundamental part for the total and faster recovery. Feeding should be done with liquid and pasty foods that in addition to not being necessary to chew is easier to swallow. Preferably soups, broths and softer foods like mashed potatoes and squash.
Avoid consumption of acidic foods like orange, lemon, tangerine, pineapple and also their juices, as they stimulate the production of saliva causing greater discomfort due to difficulty in swallowing. In case of pain, in addition to the recommended analgesics, a cold or hot compress can be performed that will bring immediate relief. Usually the symptoms will disappear completely in two weeks, but after one week of the discovery of the disease it is no longer considered contagious. After full recovery, the child or adolescent will be immune to the disease, and can only happen again if the infection has not reached both sides, or rather, the two parotid glands. Thus, it is possible for the disease to manifest on the side not reached and the disease to manifest itself normally.
Self-medication is not recommended before a medical consultation, the appropriate treatment will be prescribed by the specialist. Bearing in mind that aspirin should not be given to children in case of infections, as associated with viral infections increase the risk of developing Reye’s syndrome.
See also: Child Vaccination – Lifetime Protection
My name is Dr. Alexis Hart I am 38 years old, I am the mother of 3 beautiful children! Different ages, different phases 16 years, 12 years and 7 years. In love with motherhood since always, I found it difficult to make my dreams come true, and also some more after I was already a mother.
Since I imagined myself as a mother, in my thoughts everything seemed to be much easier and simpler than it really was, I expected to get pregnant as soon as I wished, but it wasn’t that simple. The first pregnancy was smooth, but my daughter’s birth was very troubled. Joana was born in 2002 with a weight of 2930kg and 45cm, from a very peaceful cesarean delivery but she had already been born with congenital pneumonia due to a broken bag not treated with antibiotics even before delivery.
