Mumps
Mumps is a contagious disease caused by a virus that that passes from one person to another through saliva, nasal secretions and close personal contact.
The condition primarily affects the salivary glands, also called the parotid glands. These glands are responsible for producing saliva. There are three sets of salivary glands on each side of your face, located behind and below your ears.
The hallmark symptom of mumps is swelling of the salivary glands.
Symptoms –
Some people infected with mumps virus have either no signs or symptoms or very mild ones. When signs and symptoms do develop, they usually appear about two to three weeks after exposure to the virus.
The primary sign of mumps is swollen salivary glands that cause the cheeks to puff out.
Other sign and symptoms may include –
• Pain in the swollen salivary glands on one or both sides of your face
• Pain while chewing or swallowing
• Low grade fever
• Headache
• Loss of appetite
• Muscle aches
• Weakness and fatigue
A high fever of 103°F and swelling of the salivary glands follow over the next few days. The glands may not swell at once.More commonly, they swell and become painful periodically.
Causes –
Mumps is caused by a virus of paramyxoviruses family that spreads easily from person to person through infected saliva.
If you are not immune, you can contract mumps by breathing in saliva droplets from an infected person who has just sneezed or coughed.
You can also contract mumps from sharing utensils or cups with someone who has mumps.
Complications –
Complications of mumps are rare, but some are potentially serious.
These includes –
• Orchitis – Swelling of one or both testicles in males who have reached puberty.
• Encephalitis – Inflammation of the brain.
• Meningitis – Inflammation of membranes and fluid around the brain and spinal cord.
• Pancreatitis
• Hearing loss
• Miscarriage
Prevention –
The best way to prevent mumps is to be vaccinated against the disease. Most people have immunity to mumps once they are fully vaccinated.
The mumps vaccine is usually given as a combined measles-mumps- rubella (MMR) inoculation.
• The first MMR shot is generally given between the ages of 12 to 15 months at a routine.
• A second dose of vaccination in necessary for school-aged children between 4 to 6 years old.
Diagnosis –
If you or your child has signs or symptoms of mumps, the doctor is likely to –
• Ask whether you or your child has been vaccinated against mumps and whether you might have been exposed to the virus.
• Recommend a blood test to check for evidence of the mumps virus.
Treatment –
As mumps is a virus, it doesn’t respond to antibiotics or other medications.However, you can treat the symptoms to make yourself more comfortable while you’re sick. These includes –
• Rest when you feel weak and tired.
• Take over the counter pain relievers, such as acute acetaminophen and ibuprofen, to calm down fever.
• Soothe swollen glands by applying ice packs.
• Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration due to fever.
• Eat a soft diet of soup, yoghurt and other foods that aren’t hard to chew.
• Avoid acidic foods and beverages that may cause more pain in your salivary glands.
You can return to work or school about one week after a doctor diagnoses your mumps.By this point, you’re no longer contagious.
Ayurveda Perspective –
In Ayurveda mumps can be correlated with Karnamulaka jwara.
Home Remedies –
• Ginger
It is the most significant home solution. Make a glue by granulating dry ginger along side some water to from a paste. Apply this paste on the swollen zone.
• Aloe vera
Rubbing Aloe vera gel helps in treatment and calms torment as well.
• Neem
Applying a paste arranged from neem leaves, turmeric powder and some water is one of the least complex home solutions.
• Peepal
Heat three or four leaves of peepal, coat some oil on them and again warm. Use of this remedy serves as a characteristic care for mumps irritation.
Effective Medications –
• Amritarishtam
• Sudarsnam gulika
• Nichulati lepam
• Indukandam kashayam
For more informative articles on health issues, please visit our website www.santripty.com and also feel free to consult.