Mumps

Mumps is a viral infection that is rarely seen in the United States, though it used to be very common before the 20th century. Mumps affects the salivary glands located near the ears. Either one or both of these glands swell when a person is infected with mumps.

There are vaccinations that prevent the spread of mumps. In the US, sadly, this condition used to kill thousands of children and adults. Now, we only see small outbreaks in children that can fight off this disease.

Mumps is almost nonexistent in the U.S and other countries because of vaccinations. However, it is still possible for a person to carry the infection without showing any symptoms. For children who cannot be vaccinated because of allergies or other reasons, there are extra precautions that need to be taken.

Causes of Mumps

Like any other viral infection, mumps is caused by the spread of the virus. This can be from coming into contact with someone who already has mumps. It is extremely contagious and almost unavoidable if you are not vaccinated against mumps. The most common way to come in contact with mumps is breathing in saliva drops, sneezing, coughing, and talking.

There are also risk factors involved with mumps. Anyone with an autoimmune disease cannot fight off mumps and are at a higher risk of developing this viral infection. Although this is the case, many children and adults with autoimmune diseases are vaccinated against common viral infections like mumps.

Children who are not old enough to receive the vaccination are also at a higher risk. It takes a child’s body time to develop and strengthen their immune system in order to fight off viral infections.

Symptoms of Mumps

The symptoms vary depending on the person. Mumps can cause a lot of symptoms that appear in many other health conditions. The main symptoms include:

• Headache
• Fever
• Pain on both sides of the face
• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Swelling ears

If you notice your child has any of these symptoms, you should consult your doctor to get a proper diagnosis and medical advice. Many of the symptoms are similar to the common cold and the flu.

Diagnosis of Mumps

Typically, your child’s doctor does not need to take a test to find out if your child has mumps. Since the condition is rare but easy to develop in unvaccinated children, your doctor can make that diagnosis by asking a few questions.

For example, if a patient has come in contact with someone who has tested positive for mumps and they are unvaccinated, it is likely that they have mumps as well. Not everyone who comes into contact with an infected person, however, contracts this viral infection. Although rare, your doctor may include a blood test to look for the virus.

Treatment of Mumps

There is no medication or antibiotics since it is a viral infection like the common cold. Instead, you should treat mumps like how you would treat any other common illness. Make sure to rest, drink plenty of fluids, and wait for five days of no symptoms before returning to work or school.

Your body cannot recover or strengthen itself if you do not rest properly. Although it is tempting to watch TV and get things done when you have a few days off because you’re sick, you should be sleeping and lying down without distractions.

Since fevers are very common in people with mumps, they should drink plenty of fluids with electrolytes. Fevers cause dehydration which can be very dangerous, especially in children (who are the target demographic).

Management of Mumps

It is best to first treat the condition before you manage the symptoms. However, you can both treat and manage mumps at the same time. For instance, there are many over-the-counter medications that you can take to relieve the symptoms of headache and fever.

You can also press cold compresses to where your body is swelling. Typically, it is common to see swollen ears. Always wrap ice packs and cold compresses with fabric or another layer so you don’t burn your body and cause scarring.

There is still a small chance that your child’s condition can worsen because of the fever. Although true, it is rare. However, if you cannot get your child’s fever to break or lower, you should take them to the doctor or hospital immediately. Young children often have a harder time fighting off viral infections like mumps.

Prevention of Mumps

Prevention is key when it comes to mumps. The best way to prevent mumps is to vaccinate while you are young. Not everyone has the ability to do so, however, and should take other precautions. For instance, do not hang out with other people that are sick.

It is also important to disinfect surfaces and clean them properly. It is possible to get mumps from objects if you touch them and then touch your face. Most of the time, we don’t realize we are doing so until it is too late. Use a disinfectant on common surfaces, especially if people are coming over to your home.

This is not always possible since there are people who can carry mumps and other viral infections without showing symptoms. If you have it, there are also ways you can prevent it from spreading to your friends and family. Stay home and avoid being in public if you can.

There are a few things you can do to prevent the spread of mumps which includes:

• Cough in your arm
• Wear a mask
• Wash hands frequently
• Avoid touching your face in public

Conclusions on Mumps

In conclusion, mumps is a viral infection that causes the glands near the ears to swell up. This can make it look like your ears are swollen or larger than they normally are. While this is the case, it is an uncommon condition because of vaccines. The more people vaccinate themselves against mumps, the less chance of an outbreak.

For those who do catch mumps, there are many solutions. The symptoms are similar to ones you would get with the common cold.

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FAQ

1. Is mumps contagious? Yes. Mumps is an extremely contagious disease that can be easily spread through physical contact.
2. Can adults get mumps? yes. If you did not get mumps as a child or were not inoculated the onset of mumps could arise in your adult years!

Healthier Me Today is intended for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never ignore professional medical advice in seeking treatment, always consult with your healthcare professional. Stay healthy!