After the appearance of mumps viral infection in Kerala, the number of patients has increased to 2,505 so far. Within just 2 months, 11 thousand cases of mumps virus infection have been reported in Kerala. The National Center for Disease Control has given special guidelines regarding the increasing mumps infection in Kerala. Also, the Health Department has started monitoring this disease. Let us know its symptoms and what to do first after infection.
What is mumps viral infection?
According to Only My Health, mumps is a type of viral infection. In which it dangerously affects the parotid gland containing saliva at the edge of the cheeks. Due to this infection the cheeks become swollen. And the facial structure also gets spoiled. Mumps infection also causes severe pain in the neck. This can happen to a person of any age. But children are more vulnerable to it.
Causes of mumps virus
+According to Dr. Suresh Kumar Panuganti, Lead Consultant-Paediatric Critical Care and Pediatrics, Yashoda Hospitals Hyderabad, it spreads through contact with an infected person.
What are the symptoms of mumps?
Symptoms of this disease appear on the body in 2-3 weeks.
Difficulty in swallowing
dry mouth
Dangerous pain in joints
fever
severe headache
muscle pain
Don’t feel like eating
Always feeling tired
Swelling of the glands near the cheeks on the side of the face
Swelling of saliva gland
Orchitis – inflammation of the testicles that can rarely lead to infertility
Aseptic Meningitis – Inflammation of the brain covering called meningitis
Encephalitis – infection of the brain and may be accompanied by seizures
Prevention of Mumps
Vaccine is the easiest way to prevent mumps. MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine is usually given to children in two doses. First at 9 months of age and second at 15 months of age and booster dose at 4-6 years of age. It is easily available and affordable. This vaccine protects not only from mumps but also from measles and rubella.