Mumps: Everything You Need To Know
Mumps is a contagious disease that can be chronic and affects one or both of the parotid glands, whose job is to produce saliva. They are located behind the ascending branches of the jaw.
This disease is caused by a virus of the genus Paramycoviridae and is often common among children and adolescents, although it can cause infections in more susceptible adults. Mumps can also affect other glands in the body, such as the nervous system and testicles.
Before the introduction of universal vaccination, mumps was an endemic disease around the world. It affected most children between 2 and 15 years of age.
After the introduction of the vaccine, the incidence has declined sharply, with occasional outbreaks in South America. Generally, mumps is transmissible between one and two days before the glands become inflamed and up to 7 or 9 days after infection.
Since it is a disease caused by a respiratory virus, transmission occurs through the drops that are excreted during sneezing, coughing or while talking.
What are its symptoms?
Some people with the mumps virus have no symptoms or have generally mild symptoms. In case of symptoms, this usually occurs two to three weeks following exposure to the virus.
The main symptom of mumps is inflammation of the salivary glands which causes swelling in the cheeks. In addition to this characteristic inflammation, patients may also present with the following symptoms:
- Pain in the inflamed salivary glands on one or both sides of the face.
- Pain when chewing or swallowing.
- Temperature.
- Headache and body aches.
- Weakness and fatigue.
- Lack of appetite
Complications
Complications of mumps are usually infrequent. These include:
- Loss of hearing.
- Spontaneous miscarriages in pregnant women.
- Abnormalities in the heartbeat.
While they are not very frequent, they can be potentially serious. The major ones involve inflammation of some parts of the body.
In addition to the salivary glands, about one third of men with mumps also develop inflammation of one or both testicles. This complication is known as orchitis and can cause infertility, although it is rare.
Another possible complication is inflammation of the ovaries in girls, although it is a less common symptom.
On the other hand, on rare occasions, the central nervous system can also be affected by inflammation and cause meningitis or encephalitis if it affects the brain.
Mumps prevention
The best way to prevent mumps is to get the MMR vaccine. The latter combines doses to prevent measles, mumps and rubella. It is both individual and collective protection.
The MMR vaccine is included in the childhood vaccination calendar. Two doses are given: one at 12 months and one at 3 years. At this point, it should be remembered that vaccination does not protect 100%, as some isolated cases can be generated.
It is necessary to mention that in the year 2019 there was a resurgence of cases of mumps. Those vaccinated during the years from 1995 to 1998 and from 1985 to 1988 have significantly less protection.
How can mumps be treated?
Since it is a viral infection, treatment should be geared towards reducing symptoms. NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) and rest are mainly given.
Antibiotics, medicines that are effective only for bacterial and not viral inflammations, should not be administered. In the presence of an outbreak, it is advisable to reassess the need for revaccination on a case-by-case basis.
On the other hand, it is necessary to mention that diet and other factors play an important role. It will depend on the patient’s condition to exclude certain foods, generally the diet is reduced to soft foods. However, if chewing is possible, it will not be necessary.
