What is Mumps?
Mumps is an acute communicable disease of viral origin characterised by painful enlargement of the parotid glands. Mumps is common in children between the age of 5-9 years. One attack of mumps gives lifelong immunity.
The virus enters via the respiratory route. It has an incubation period of 15-21 days.
Clinical Features of Mumps
1. Parotid Glands Infection:
The onset of infection is sudden.
(a) Malaise, anorexia, fever, sore throat.
(b) Tenderness at the angle of the jaw.
(c) Parotid swelling. The glands enlarge progressively over a period of 1-3 days and the swelling resolves within a week. The swollen gland extends from the ear to the lower portion of the mandible. The ear is displaced upwards and outward. The skin over the gland is not warm. Pain and tenderness are marked.
(d) Children complain of difficulty in eating, swallowing and talking.
2. Testes:
Mumps virus may affect the testes in adults. Testicular involvement may commence 7-10 days after the onset of mumps. Tenderness is present. Mumps orchitis is followed by progressive atrophy of the testicle. Sterility at a later date may be present.
3. Pancreas:
This is a serious manifestation of mumps. It should be suspected in patients with abdominal pain and tenderness with clinical evidence of mumps. Diabetes could occur at the later age due to destruction of pancreatic cells.”
Management of Mumps
1. No specific treatment.
2. Bed rest.
3. Analgesics
4. Plenty of fluids.
5. Consult a doctor.