Where does mumps come from, what are its symptoms and how to treat it

What is mumps

Mumps is the colloquial name for mumpsMumps. This is a viral disease in which the parotid salivary glands become inflamed (the ancient Greek source words sound like "para" ("for") and "titos" ("ear")).

The inflammation has a characteristicMumps symptom: the affected gland swells, greatly increases in size. Because of this, the neck in the upper part also begins to look too voluminous, almost equal in size to the head, like a pig's. Hence the popular name of the disease.

But this is far from the only and not always obligatory sign of mumps.

What are the symptoms of mumps

Most symptomsMumps. Signs and Symptoms appears a few days before swelling of the salivary glands occurs. The symptoms are similar to those of a common cold:

• an increase in temperature, sometimes up to 39 ° C;
• headache;
• muscle pain and aches;
• weakness, fatigue;
• loss of appetite.

Sometimes these symptoms are very mild, and in some infected people no at all. Therefore, a person can catch a mumps and not even know about it.

In any case, the vast majority of people with mumps recover within a couple of weeks.

Why is mumps dangerous?

This ailment is easily confused with much more serious diagnoses, such as tonsillitis or infectious mononucleosis. They are often accompanied by an increase cervical lymph nodes (outwardly it looks like an increase in the salivary glands) and sometimes lead to serious consequences, up to liver problems and rupture of the spleen. Therefore, it is so important, at the first signs of the disease, to consult a therapist or pediatrician so that he can make an accurate diagnosis.

But mumps in itself can cause serious complications.Mumps. Complications. Here is some of them:

• Infertility in men. Most often, mumps affects the salivary glands, but other glandular organs can also become inflamed - the same testicles (testes). It happens that due to illness, they decrease in size (atrophy) and a man remains sterile forever.
• Ovarian inflammation in women. This will not affect the ability to become a mother, but if the disorder occurs in a pregnant woman, it increases the risk of miscarriage.
• Mastitis is an inflammation of the breast tissue in women.
• Pancreatitis - inflammation of the pancreas.
• Encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain.
• Meningitis is an inflammation of the tissues that cover the brain and spinal cord.
• Deafness.

Complications are rare, but no one can predict how the disease will develop in a particular case. Therefore, it is in your best interest to do everything so as not to get infected yourself and protect children from infection. Fortunately, this is not difficult.

How not to get sick with mumps

Mumps is a viral infection that causesMumps paramyxovirus. The disease is transmittedTransmission of Mumps airborne droplets - with particles of saliva, which an infected person sends into the surrounding space when talking, coughing, sneezing.

The pig has an important feature: in most cases, after having had it once (usually in childhood), people acquire a lifelong immunity. Therefore, scientists managed to create an effective vaccineMumps. Vaccination against mumps.

Mumps vaccine is part of the combined MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, rubella).

The PDA is administered in two doses with an interval of at least 28 days. In a person who received both doses of the vaccine, the risk of contracting mumps is reduced by 88% (according to other sourcesMumps - by 95%). In people who received one dose, it was 78% higher.

In Russia, the MMR vaccine is included in the National Calendar of Preventive VaccinationsNational immunization schedule and is compulsory for children under 12 years of age. Adults who weren't vaccinated in childhood, they can also get a PDA - for free, under the compulsory medical insurance policy. To do this, you need to contact your therapist at the district polyclinic.

How to treat mumps

As with most viral diseases, mumps pills do not exist. The doctor can only prescribe symptomatic treatment, the purpose of which is to relieve symptoms and help the body to cope with the disease faster. Such therapy includesMumps into myself:

• Bed rest, especially in the first days of illness.
• Drink plenty of fluids. At a temperature, the body actively loses moisture, and its amount needs to be restored: fluid is required for the correct functioning of the immune system.
• If necessary, take over-the-counter pain relievers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen. Never give to children under the age of 14 aspirin!
• Compresses. Applying a warm or cool (feel-like) compress to the inflamed gland will relieve pain.

Let us remind you once again: self-medication with symptoms of mumps is unacceptable. Be sure to see a doctor. And tell him about any deterioration in your well-being that worries you - this is important so as not to miss the development of albeit unlikely, but still possible complications.