Mumps is a contagious viral infection that mainly influences the salivary glands, causing swelling & discomfort. It is most commonly seen in children but can affect people of any age. While the disease was once a common childhood illness, its occurrence has significantly decreased thanks to vaccines like the MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccine. However, outbreaks still happen, and it’s essential to know the symptoms, causes, & treatment options available.
This blog will discuss everything you need to know about mumps- what it is, how it spreads, common symptoms, possible complications, and the treatment options that can help manage the condition. Understanding these aspects can help you protect yourself and your family, especially if you live where mumps are still circulating.
Table of Contents
Mumps Treatment
Supportive Care
The cornerstone of mumps treatment is supportive care, which includes:
– Adequate rest to help the body fight off the virus.
– Hydration is used to prevent dehydration from fever and aid in recovery.
– Pain relief medicines, like acetaminophen or ibuprofen, to alleviate discomfort from swollen glands and aches.
– Warm or cold compresses are applied to the swollen glands to reduce pain.
– Avoidance of acidic or sour foods that can exacerbate salivary gland pain.
Vaccination
Prevention is critical in managing mumps; the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine is the primary preventive measure. Although it’s typically administered during childhood, unvaccinated adults can also receive the vaccine.
Treatment for mumps is primarily supportive, focusing on alleviating symptoms as the body fights off the virus. This includes medication for pain and fever, hydration, and rest. The cost of over-the-counter medicines like acetaminophen or ibuprofen is relatively low, with prices starting from around INR 20-30 for a strip of tablets.
The costs can increase substantially when complications arise, or hospitalization is required. Hospital charges will vary depending on the city, the type of hospital (public or private), and the specific treatments needed. For instance, the average cost per episode of outpatient care in public hospitals is around INR 400, while private providers may charge upwards of INR 2,643.
Preventive measures like the MMR vaccine are the most cost-effective way to manage mumps. The vaccine is often available at little to no cost through government programs. However, if one opts for a private healthcare provider, the price can range from INR 150 to INR 300 per dose.
It’s important to note that these figures are indicative and can vary widely. Individuals should consult healthcare providers or local health authorities for the most accurate & up-to-date information.
Mumps Symptoms
Mumps symptoms often start with mild, flu-like signs before more noticeable symptoms appear. The main characteristic of mumps is the painful swelling of the salivary glands, which are situated just below & in front of the ears. This swelling often makes the cheeks or jaw look puffed or enlarged, giving the face a “hamster-like” appearance. Some of the common symptoms of mumps are
1. Swollen and Painful Salivary Glands:
This is the most recognizable sign of mumps. The swelling usually affects the parotid glands, one of the three pairs of salivary glands, making it painful to chew, swallow, or open the mouth. The swelling may occur on one side or both sides of the face.
2. Fever:
Mumps typically accompany a moderate fever (often between 101°F and 104°F). The fever may last several days and usually appears before the gland swells.
3. Headache:
Mumps causes common headaches, which may resemble those experienced during the flu. This occurs because of the immune system’s reaction to the virus.
4. Muscle Aches:
Body aches, including muscle and joint pain, often accompany mumps. This makes the person feel generally unwell and may lead to fatigue.
5. Fatigue and Weakness:
It can cause a person to feel tired, weak, and generally less energetic. This is a natural response of the body as it fights off the viral infection.
6. Loss of Appetite:
The pain from the swollen glands and general discomfort can make eating difficult or less appealing, reducing appetite.
7. Pain While Eating or Drinking:
Due to the swelling of the glands, a person with mumps may experience pain, especially when eating or drinking sour or acidic foods, as these can trigger extra saliva production.
These symptoms usually appear 12–25 days after exposure to the mumps virus, with 16–18 days being the most common timeframe. The symptoms often improve within a week or two, but it’s essential to seek medical advice to manage discomfort and avoid spreading the virus to others. If you or someone you know experiences these symptoms, especially swelling around the jaw and cheeks, it’s a good idea to consult a healthcare professional to confirm if it’s epidemic parotitis and get guidance on managing the symptoms.
Mumps Meaning
Mumps is a contagious viral infection mainly affecting the salivary glands, especially the parotid glands near the jaw and below the ears. When someone has epidemic parotitis, these glands swell up, causing puffy cheeks and jaw pain.
Mumps is spread through droplets in the air, like when an infected person coughs or sneezes. While it’s most common in children, anyone who isn’t vaccinated can get epidemic parotitis. Thanks to the MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccine, cases of epidemic parotitis have become rare in many countries, but outbreaks can still happen.
In short, mumps is an illness that causes swollen glands, fever, and other flu-like symptoms, and it can be prevented with vaccination.
Mumps Causes
Mumps is caused by a virus referred to as the mumps virus, which is part of the paramyxovirus family. This virus predominantly influences the salivary glands, especially the parotid glands found just in front of the ears. Once infected, the virus spreads through the body, causing inflammation and swelling in these glands, leading to the characteristic puffiness in the cheeks and jaw.
Here’s a breakdown of how the mumps virus spreads and causes infection:
1. Transmission Through Respiratory Droplets:
It is highly contagious and spreads from person to person through tiny droplets in the air. An infected person releases droplets containing the virus when they cough, sneeze, talk, or even laugh. People nearby can then breathe in these droplets, leading to infection.
2. Contact with Contaminated Surfaces:
The mumps virus can also survive on surfaces for a short period. If a person touches a surface contaminated with droplets from an infected person, such as a doorknob, table, or shared utensil and then touches their face, mouth, nose, or eyes, they can become infected.
3. Close Contact with an Infected Person:
Being in close contact with someone with epidemic parotitis increases the risk of infection, especially since the virus is most contagious a few days before symptoms appear and in the early days of symptoms. This is why mumps can spread quickly among people who live in close quarters, like families, schools, or dormitories.
4. Lack of Immunization (Vaccination):
People who haven’t received the MMR vaccine (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) are more likely to contract mumps. This vaccine protects against mumps and has greatly reduced its spread. However, people who skip or miss their vaccination doses are at higher risk, as they lack immunity against the virus.
5. Weak Immune System:
People with weakened immune systems, like those who are ill or undergoing medical treatments that lower immunity, may be more susceptible to contracting mumps if exposed to the virus.
6. Travel to Areas with Mumps Outbreaks:
Traveling to areas with low vaccination rates or where mumps outbreaks occur can increase the risk of exposure, as the virus may be more common there.
Once the mumps virus enters the body, it moves to the respiratory tract. Then, it spreads to other parts, especially the salivary glands, where it multiplies and causes inflammation and swelling. This process is what leads to the typical symptoms of epidemic parotitis.
Prevention Tip:
The most effective way to prevent epidemic parotitis is vaccination. The MMR vaccine provides strong protection and is typically given in two doses—first at 12-15 months and again at 4-6 years of age. Vaccination has successfully reduced mumps cases worldwide, making it a crucial tool in controlling the spread of this infection.
How Long Does Mumps Last?
The duration of mumps varies from person to person, but generally, the symptoms can last for a few weeks. The initial symptoms, which include fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, and loss of appetite, typically start about two to three weeks after exposure to the virus. These can be followed by the swelling of the salivary glands, which is the most recognizable sign of epidemic parotitis.
Most individuals recover fully from epidemic parotitis within a few weeks. Children can usually return to school approximately a week after the onset of swelling, provided their symptoms have improved. It’s important to note that while the acute symptoms may subside, some individuals may experience fatigue and weakness for several weeks after other symptoms have resolved.
Is Mumps Contagious?
Mumps is indeed a contagious disease. It can be spread through direct interaction with respiratory fluids or saliva from someone who is infected. A person with mumps is most contagious from a few days before the glands begin to swell until about five days after the swelling has started. During this period, the infected individual should avoid close contact with others to limit the spread of the virus.
The mumps virus is transmitted through airborne droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Sharing utensils and cups or engaging in close-contact activities can also facilitate the spread of the virus.
Mumps Diagnosis
Diagnosing mumps involves a few key steps to confirm if the virus is causing symptoms, especially swelling in the salivary glands. Here’s how it’s typically done:
1. Physical Examination:
A healthcare provider will start by looking at the patient’s symptoms, particularly the swelling around the cheeks and jaw, which is a common sign of epidemic parotitis. They will ask about other symptoms like fever, headache, and muscle pain.
2. Patient History:
The doctor may ask if the patient has been in close contact with anyone who has mumps or if they’ve recently been in a place with a known outbreak. They’ll also ask about vaccination history, as people without the MMR vaccine are more likely to contract epidemic parotitis.
3. Lab Tests:
Doctors often use a lab test to confirm the diagnosis. This involves taking a saliva or blood sample to look for the mumps virus or antibodies (the body’s response to fighting the virus). The lab test results can confirm if epidemic parotitis are causing the symptoms.
4. PCR Test (Polymerase Chain Reaction):
In some cases, a more specific test called a PCR test is done on a sample from the mouth or throat. This test detects the virus directly and is very accurate in identifying epidemic parotitis.
These steps help doctors accurately diagnose epidemic parotitis, as other illnesses with similar symptoms may sometimes cause confusion.
Parotitis Vs. Mumps
Parotitis and mumps both involve swelling of the salivary glands, particularly the parotid glands, but they aren’t the same thing. Here’s the difference:
Mumps:
Mumps is a specific viral infection caused by the mumps virus. As a primary symptom, it causes swelling in the parotid glands, often making the cheeks look swollen. Epidemic parotitis is contagious and spread through respiratory droplets or contact with an infected person. The MMR vaccine can prevent epidemic parotitis, and if someone does get it, the symptoms typically last a few weeks.
Parotitis:
Parotitis simply refers to inflammation or swelling of the parotid glands. While mumps is a common cause of parotitis, it’s not the only one. Other infections (like bacterial infections), blockages (such as salivary stones), or even autoimmune conditions can cause parotitis without being related to the mumps virus. Parotitis can happen in one or both glands and may have other symptoms depending on the cause.
In summary, mumps is a viral disease that specifically causes parotitis (salivary gland swelling). Parotitis is just a general term for swollen parotid glands, and it can be caused by many different factors, not just mumps.
Conclusion
Mumps is a viral disease that can lead to discomfort, swelling, and other symptoms but can often be prevented with the MMR vaccine. For those who get mumps, rest, hydration, and over-the-counter medications can help manage symptoms until the infection runs. Knowing the symptoms, causes, & treatment options can help protect yourself and others from this illness.
How Crowdfunding Can Help with Medical Costs:
In India, medical expenses for treating mumps or other severe health conditions can sometimes become a financial burden, especially if complications arise. Crowdfunding platforms offer a helpful solution by allowing individuals to raise funds online to cover medical bills. By sharing their story, people can reach out to friends, family, and strangers who wish to contribute, making it easier to afford costly treatments and ease financial stress. Crowdfunding has become an important tool for those needing quick, compassionate support for healthcare expenses.
