What is mumps?
Mumps is a condition,
characterized by swollen salivary glands caused by the paramyxovirus. The
condition is often also known as epidemic parotitis.
What causes mumps?
Mumps is caused by the mumps
virus (paramyxovirus) which easily spreads via the saliva of an infected
person. Non – immunized individuals are at high risk of getting infected with
the virus.
How does mumps spread?
Since mumps is a contagious disease,
infection can easily spread from one person to another through the droplets
that get dispersed in the air when an infected individual coughs or sneezes.
The disease can also spread by sharing utensils and personal belongings of the
infected individuals.
What are the symptoms of mumps?
Individuals infected with
mumps, suffer from the following signs and symptoms:
- Fever, accompanied by chills, loss of appetite and headache
- Swelling and pain in the salivary glands and jaw line
- Pain while chewing and swallowing foods or liquids
- Testicles undergo inflammation, which happens in 25% men who get mumps after reaching puberty
- Weakness along with fatigue
- Muscle pain
What is the treatment of mumps?
Once the symptoms begin, it
is necessary to isolate the affected individual as he / she is extremely
contagious during this stage. Antibiotics are usually of no use as the disease
is caused by a virus. The condition should get cleared off within 2 weeks as the patient is given medications to get relief from the
symptoms. Children and teenagers should never be given aspirin to recover from
flu or flu like symptoms. This is because, usage of aspirin in some cases can lead
to the development of Reye’s syndrome.
How can mumps be prevented?
Immunization is one of the
best ways to prevent mumps. Once vaccinated, the individuals are protected
against the virus for as long as 20 years. The vaccine is given in 2 doses in combination
with the rubella and measles virus (MMR – measles mumps rubella). The first
dose is given to children aged 15 months and older and the second dose is given
between 4 – 6 years.
Diet and lifestyle changes in mumps?
Individuals infected with
mumps are advised to stay away from work for at least 10 – 15 days after the
symptoms begin. It is necessary to eat soft foods and intake of fluids should
be increased. Foods which are acidic in nature and citrus foods such as
tomatoes should be avoided. Men who have developed swollen testicles should
take adequate rest until the symptoms have subsided. Ice packs should be
applied to the affected area to relieve the pain and inflammation. The warm and
cold compress can be applied on the cheeks to ease off the swelling in the
salivary glands.
How to deal with a
patient of mumps?
Infected individuals should
be kept in isolation and their utensils and personal belongings should not be
shared with anybody. Physical contact with the patient should be avoided and
the clothes should also be washed separately and disinfected after each wash.
What is Ayurvedic treatment of mumps?
Various herbs have been
proven to be extremely beneficial in the treatment of mumps. These include,
chaturbhuja rasa, daru haridra, dashagna, rasasindura and naradiya laxmivilasa.
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