Mumps

What is Mumps?

Mumps is caused by a virus called 'mumps virus' entering the body. It is an airborne and cough-transmitted virus and can also be transmitted by contact with objects of an infected person.

The affected individual may experience swelling of the salivary glands, high fever and difficulty eating. The individual can transmit the virus to others for 7 to 9 days during this period. The period of highest contagiousness is the first 2 to 4 days after symptoms. All individuals who come into contact with the individual who have not been vaccinated and have not had the disease before are at risk and are highly contagious.

Once a person has had mumps once in their lifetime, they may never get it again.

Mumps Diagnosis

The diagnosis of mumps is based on a doctor's examination and listening to complaints. In addition to the physical examination;

• Microscopic examination of saliva
• Blood test
• A urine test can be done.

When you look at the tonsils, you can see that they are pushed to the side. The individual may have a high fever. The individual's body temperature is measured.

Causes of Mumps

Mumps is one of the rash-febrile diseases acquired in childhood, after which lifelong immunity is acquired. The disease is caused by the transmission of the mumps virus from another individual.

It can be transmitted from one individual to another through body secretions, respiratory tract, surface contact and droplet transmission. Although it is usually seen in childhood, it can also occur in adults.

Thanks to the Mumps vaccine, which is one of the vaccination programs in our country, there has been a decrease in cases.

Symptoms of Mumps

The severity of the symptoms of mumps and which symptoms occur in an individual can vary depending on how strong the immune system is. Some individuals can survive the disease without any symptoms. Some of the symptoms that occur are;

• Difficulty swallowing
• Painful swelling of the cheeks and chin (unilateral or bilateral)
• High fever
• Pain with chewing and moving the mouth
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Lack of appetite
• Joint, muscle and general body pain.

In the presence of the following symptoms, parents should immediately inform the doctor;

• Fever of 39 degrees and above
• Blurred consciousness
• Impaired mental functioning
• Abdominal pain
• Swollen or sore testicles in men
• Great difficulty in eating and drinking

Mumps Treatment Methods

As with all other viral diseases, there is no drug treatment for mumps. Depending on the complaints experienced by individuals, necessary medications may be prescribed. In order for the individual to overcome the disease in a shorter time and with milder symptoms, there are a number of things to consider. These are;

• Drink plenty of fluids
• Healthy and balanced nutrition
• Preventing the individual from infecting others by isolating them
• Helping the swelling to go down with ice application
• Gargling with salt water
• Resting the individual
• Consuming foods that are easy to chew, such as pureed or soupy foods
• Use of painkillers and antipyretics recommended by the doctor
• Avoiding acidic drinks

Mumps Vaccine

In the case of viral diseases, there is no drug treatment after the onset of the disease, but there are vaccines to protect the individual against certain types of viruses. Mumps vaccination is given to prevent mumps.

After vaccination, individuals can survive once in their lifetime with very mild symptoms or without symptoms.

Mumps vaccine is included in the Triple Mixed Vaccine (Measles, Rubella and Mumps) given in infancy.

Complications of Mumps

People who have had mumps in childhood may recover with milder symptoms, while adults are at high risk of developing complications.

Ooforit

It is a condition that develops as tenderness, pain and swelling in the ovaries in women. This complication in women can result in infertility.

Orchitis

This is when mumps viruses spread throughout the body and travel to the testicles, causing pain and swelling. This can occur in 1 in 5 men who have mumps. The swelling subsides in an average of 7 days and rarely leads to infertility.

Pancreatitis

Inflammation of the pancreas. This can be suspected when a person with mumps develops pain in the upper abdomen.

Encephalitis

It is an inflammation of brain tissue. This very rare complication can be life-threatening.

Meningitis

The mumps virus enters the bloodstream, infecting the Central Nervous System and causing inflammation in the meninges tissue that surrounds the brain. It develops extremely rarely.

Low Risk

It is a risk that occurs when a person has mumps between 12 and 16 weeks of pregnancy.

Hearing and Balance Loss

Rarely, the mumps virus can affect the ear, causing hearing loss and loss of balance due to damage to the balance center in the ear.

Myocarditis

It develops when the heart muscle is affected by the mumps virus. It is a life-threatening condition in which the contractile function of the heart is impaired.