Mumps: Symptoms of a disease which is spread easily

Rest, plenty of fluids and painkillers to combat headache and tenths of fever that may accompany this condition. Mumps, except in severe cases usually do not require hospitalization, but are a disease to be protected because it spreads easily.

In fact, if we have contracted mumps we can spread the virus from seven days before the onset of the first symptoms and up to nine days after. The best prevention, the vaccine (MMR vaccine, against mumps, measles and rubella).

Who is responsible for the mumps? A virus, namely that of mumps, which causes the inflammation – usually accompanied by pain – of the parotid or other salivary glands. In most cases, mumps diagnosed in children, but adults can also become infected. In fact, it is a condition that can be more severe when suffering in adulthood. It usually occurs during the winter and spring.

The main characteristic of mumps virus is its ability to spread, for example when coughing or sneezing, similar to other viruses easily spread like those of the flu. As noted above, a person with mumps can spread to another until a week before the onset of symptoms and up to nine days later. Symptoms may be delayed up to 2 to 3 weeks after exposure.

What are the most common symptoms?

The most common symptoms are malaise, swelling of the parotid gland and occasionally other salivary glands, which can result, for example, ear pain or pain when chewing food. It may also appear episodes of fever, headache, and loss of appetite, muscle aches or fatigue.

Mumps require treatment, because in case of complications, the most severe cases, can affect other organs such as the pancreas (pancreatitis) or the brain (meningitis mumps). It can also affect the ovaries (oophoritis) or testicles (orchitis).

Prevention and Treatment

Vaccination is the most effective measure to prevent mumps, a viral disease in significantly reducing levels of incidence. Precisely the vaccine, covering around 95%, is responsible for this decline, a trend that may be occasionally interrupted by an outbreak of a different magnitude.

The mumps vaccine (MMR) is administered in two doses, at 12 months and three years. A vaccine may also be administered to adults who did not receive it on that time.

In case of infection, the most common treatment for mumps is rest, intake of plenty of fluids (to prevent dehydration in case of fever and help the body recover from general fatigue) and analgesics (paracetamol or ibuprofen) to relieve pain headache and fever.