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Recently, there has been an outbreak of mumps, a viral disease, in many Indian states, including Kerela, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan. More than 11,000 cases have been reported in the past two months. Mumps is a highly infectious viral disease that mostly affects children.
Mumps is a viral disease that causes swollen salivary glands, headache, fevers, fatigue, and muscle pain. It is mainly caused by the mumps virus, which typically spreads through contact with an infected person’s saliva. People with weak immunity are particularly susceptible. The MMR vaccine is the most effective way to prevent this disease.
What is Mumps Viral Disease?
Mumps disease is caused by the mumps virus which is an airborne virus that is found in the upper respiratory tract of an infected person. Mumps orthorubulavirus is the name of the mumps virus, which belongs to the Paramyxoviruses family. The viral disease primarily infects children aged 2 to 12 years. Mumps cause swelling in the salivary gland (Parotitis) below the ears, which results in swollen cheeks and tender jaws.
Mumps Virus In Adults
We often associate the mumps viral disease with children– and for good reason, since they are usually the ones who contract it. However, adults can also get this virus. In some cases, adults who get mumps might experience hearing loss and lowered fertility. Some other symptoms include the swelling of body parts like:
- Testicles, of males who have already gone through puberty
- Ovaries
- Breasts
- Brain, leading to life threatening conditions like encephalitis
- Tissues protecting the spinal cord and brain
- Pancreas
It can also sometimes cause miscarriages during early pregnancy, and lead to heart problems.
What are the Causes of Mumps Disease?
The cause of mumps virus infection is direct contact with an infected person’s saliva or through the spread of respiratory droplets from an infected individual’s nose or mouth. Hence, the mumps viral infection is spread from person to person. People with a weak immune system or who are not vaccinated are at risk of contracting the mumps virus. Mumps, a virus infection, is spread through
- Talking, coughing, or sneezing by an infected person.
- Using personal items of the infected person.
- Close contact with an infected person.
What are Mumps Disease Symptoms?
The initial mumps virus symptoms are mostly mild. The symptoms start to appear after 2 to 4 weeks of infection. The virus moves from the respiratory tract to the parotid gland, causing swelling and discomfort. It leads to the following symptoms.
- Swollen cheeks and jaws
- Fever
- Headache
- Pain in muscles
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite, etc.
Complications
There are higher chances of complications due to the infection of the mumps virus in adults as compared to children. In adults, the infection can also affect other organs like the brain, pancreas, testicles and ovaries. A common complication in cases of mumps in children includes meningitis, encephalitis, and swelling of joints and other organs.
>> Also Read: What are the Causes, Symptoms and Treatment for Viral Fever?
Diagnosis
Sometimes, the infection can be asymptomatic, showing no symptoms and in some cases, other virus infections can cause parotitis or swelling in the salivary gland. Hence, a diagnostic test should be done to confirm a mumps virus infection. The diagnostic tests involve testing the infected person's blood, urine, and saliva.
Who is at the Risk of Mump Disease?
Now you are aware that measles and mumps are caused by which virus, let us know who is at risk of getting mumps caused by the mumps virus.
- Anyone who is not vaccinated
- School-going children
- Frequent travellers
- People living in an area with already existing cases of mumps
- People with low immunity
- People with comorbidities
How to Prevent Mumps Disease?
Mumps is a disease that can be prevented through vaccination only. The vaccine for mumps virus prevention is a combination vaccine known as MMR, which protects against measles mumps rubella disease. Children receive two doses of the vaccine, with the first dose given between 12 to 15 months and the second dose given between 4 to 6 years of age. Both measles and mumps in humans are caused by RNA viruses of the paramyxoviruses family, and while they have different symptoms, the same vaccine prevents both Measles and mumps virus diseases.
What is the Treatment for Mumps Disease?
Mumps virus treatment involves treatment of the symptoms. There is no treatment available for the disease itself because it is a viral infection that does not respond to antibiotics. The disease may last for a few weeks and go away on its own. The treatment mainly focuses on improving the symptoms to provide comfort and pain relief. Here are some easy tips to manage the symptoms and aid in fast recovery.
- Drink plenty of fluids
- Gargle with warm salty water
- Eat soft and easy-to-chew food
- Avoid acidic foods
- Apply warm or cold compress on the swollen area
- Take proper rest
- Avoid self-medication and consult your doctor in case of a fever
- Mumps viral disease is easily preventable because of the MMR vaccine. Childrens usually are administered two doses as a part of the childhood immunisations cycle.
How Safe is the MMR Vaccine?
The MMR vaccine is extremely safe and highly effective. It has shown to prevent mumps in 90% of the people who have been administered the shot. Usually children do not have any side effects from the vaccine.However, some people may experience mild symptoms like fever, rash, or pain at the injection area.
In extremely rare cases, children might have an allergic reaction to the vaccine. Call your healthcare provider if you notice symptoms like loss of color, difficulty breathing, wheezing, etc. It is safe for children with minor illnesses to receive the vaccine. However, in cases of more serious conditions, the doctor can advise to delay the vaccine.
How to Prevent the Spread of the Disease?
One thing to know about mumps virus disease is that it is highly infectious in the initial 3 to 5 days. Here are some precautions you can take to prevent spreading the virus.
- The infected person should be isolated immediately after swelling appears,
- Wear N-95 mask
- Maintain proper hygiene
- Avoid contact with others
- Children should be taught not to share their water bottles and tiffins if they are not feeling well.
- Cover your mouth while coughing and sneezing.
Protect Your Child against Mumps with Care Health Insurance
It is important to protect children from diseases to build their immunity and promote healthy development. The child must be given the vaccinations to prevent the disease. However, being aware of the causes and symptoms can help you take precautionary measures and protect your child until they receive the vaccination.
Additionally, you should consider having a health insurance plan covering your children for medical emergencies. Care health insurance provides coverage for the cost of diagnostic tests, in-patient hospitalisation and OPD consultations, subject to the terms and conditions. In case your child is infected with mumps virus, you can cover the expenses incurred for diagnostic tests, OPD consultations etc. depending on the policy you have.
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