| Definition
|
Mumps is one of the
common infectious disease seen in the childhood. It is caused by the Mumps
Virus and is characterised by swelling of the parotid glands Late Winter and Spring |
| Season
Susceptibility |
Late Winter and Spring |
| Symptoms
|
| 1. |
Vague pain, fever,
loss of appetite |
| 2. |
Swelling
of the salivary (parotid) glands on one side or both
the sides, below and in front of the ear. |
| 3. |
Ear pain and pain on
chewing or taking any sour food or drink. |
| 4. |
Swelling
of the mandibular salivary glands. |
| 5. |
No symptoms at all in
30% of cases. |
|
| Transmission
|
Direct contact through
secretions which are infectious from 1-7 days prior to onset until 9 days after the onset
of illness. |
| Incubation
Period |
From 12-25 days,
usually 16-18 days |
| Duration
of illness |
| 1. |
5-7 days |
| 2. |
A doctor should be
called, if there are complications, like drowsiness, vomiting, neck stiffness
following mumps. |
|
| Treatment
|
| 1. |
Symptomatic for
fever and pain |
| 2. |
Cool compress applied
to cheeks |
| 3. |
Diet should be
non-acid, non-sour soft diet. |
|
| Prevention
|
Immunization with MMR
vaccine (Mumps, Measles, Rubella Vaccine) |
| Recurrence
|
Very slight chances of
recurrence only if one side was affected. |
| Complications
|
| 1. |
Meningoencephalitis |
| 2. |
Inflammation
of the testis especially in the adult males. |
|
