What is Mumps?

About Mumps:

• It is a contagious disease caused by a paramyxovirus.
• It can cause the parotid glands, the ones on each side of the face to swell and they may also be tender or painful.
• It is an acute disease which infects children and young adults.
• Humans are the only known host for mumps virus, which is spread via direct contact or by airborne droplets from the upper respiratory tract of infected individuals.
• Symptoms:
  • After an incubation period of some 2 to 4 weeks mumps begins with non-specific symptoms such as myalgia, headache, malaise and low-grade fever.
  • Within days, these symptoms are followed by unilateral or bilateral swelling of the parotid salivary glands, with other salivary glands affected in 10% of cases.
  • Normally mumps is a mild, self-limiting disease and disappears without sequelae.
  • However, complications may occur such as encephalitis or sensorineural deafness.
  • Orchitis (a painful inflammation of the testes) occurs in 20% of young adult males who develop mumps.
• Treatment: There is no specific treatment for mumps. The various symptoms may be relieved with medicines.
• Prevention: The best way to protect kids is to make sure they're immunised against mumps.