Mumps

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.