What is Mumps
Mump is a contagious infection which is caused by a virus called paramyxovirus. It can be potentially serious for children and young adults. The infection is most common in children over the age of two who have not been vaccinated. It is also common in teenagers and young adults but it is possible for older people to contract the disease.
How is mumps spread
Mumps is spread person to person through airborne droplets when the infected person coughs of sneezes or through direct contact with an infected person or contaminated items
Signs & symptoms
Fever
Headache
Some people may show no symptoms, while up to half will only experience non specific, or primarily respiratory symptoms.
Normally symptoms decrease after one week and usual have resolved within ten days.
Complications
Mumps can affect many other glands in the body such as:
Inflammation of the testicles (orchitis)
Inflammation of the brain and/or tissue covering the brain and spinal cord (encephalitis and meningitis, respectively)
Inflammation of the ovaries and/or breasts (oophoritis and mastitis, respectively)
Deafness, which is usually permanent.
With the exception of deafness, these complications of mumps are more common among adults than children.
Treatment
There is no cure for Mumps because mumps is caused by a virus so antibiotics or other medications are not effective. Treatment therefore focuses on relieving the symptoms. This includes:
Medications such as ibruprofen to control fever or pain
Warm, moist towels to help with swelling
Fluids
Rest until fever improves
Soft, bland diet.
In order to prevent the spread of the disease those infected should attend school/work/college for up to ten days after the onset of symptoms.
If you become very ill due to the mumps or from complications associated with it, you should seek medical attention as soon...