Health authorities issue alert as rise in mumps cases, know symptoms, treatment and prevention

Health authorities issue alert as rise in mumps cases, know symptoms, treatment and prevention

Mangalore Today News Network

Kasargod, Mar 15, 2024: The Health department in Kasaragod has issued a public alert after a large number of mumps cases were reported in the district.

District Medical Officer (DMO) A.V. Ramdas said mumps was a contagious viral infection caused by the mumps virus belonging to the Paramyxoviridae family. This airborne disease primarily affects the salivary glands, leading to swelling and discomfort.

 

He said over 200 cases had been detected in the district in just over a month. The transmission typically occurs from seven days before to seven days after the onset of salivary gland swelling. However, individuals are most contagious one or two days before and up to five days after the swelling occurs.

While mumps commonly affects children aged five to nine, cases among adults are also being reported. The disease tends to be more severe in adults compared to children.

Dr. Ramdas said symptoms include swelling of cheeks below the ears, fever, headache, difficulty opening the mouth, chewing and swallowing, loss of appetite, and fatigue. The treatment involves managing symptoms with fever and pain medication, ample fluid intake, and rest, he added.

He further said that children might experience feeding difficulties owing to mouth discomfort, necessitating special care to provide liquid foods and maintain oral hygiene.

The DMO said mumps spreads through airborne droplets from coughing, sneezing, nasal secretions, and direct contact with infected individuals. Complications may arise if the disease affects the brain, testicles, ovaries, glands, or prostate, potentially leading to encephalitis or other seroius illness.

He cautioned that patients should isolate themselves at home until fully recovered, avoiding contact with others and disinfecting personal items. Symptoms typically manifest within two to three weeks post-infection.

He said the vaccination was available to prevent mumps, administered as part of the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine between 16 and 24 months of age. Mumps cases were more prevalent between January and May, he added.

He advised the individuals experiencing mumps symptoms should refrain from self-medication and seek medical attention for proper diagnosis and treatment. Vigilance and proactive measures are crucial in containing the spread of this contagious disease, he said.

 

What is Mumps?

 

Mumps is a viral infection that affects children and young adults. It is caused by paramyxovirus, a member of the Rubulavirus family. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), humans are the only known host for the mumps virus, which is spread through direct contact or by droplets in the air from the upper respiratory tract of infected individuals.

SYMPTOMS FOR MUMPS

This acute disease presents as a fever followed by painful swelling of both areas around the ears. It starts with low-grade fever, malaise, headache and loss of appetite, lasting around 3 to 4 days.

This is then followed by inflammation of the parotid glands, located on both sides of the face, causing pain, swelling and tenderness in the cheek and jaw areas, which lasts from 7 to 14 days.

Mumps is usually mild and goes away on its own, but can sometimes lead to complications like encephalitis, deafness, or orchitis in young men.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

* Ensuring sufficient hydration by drinking plenty of fluids orally to prevent dehydration. A soft diet is recommended to ease discomfort while chewing.
* Getting adequate bed rest.
* Applying scrotal support and ice packs to reduce inflammation, especially in cases involving swelling of the testicles.
* Using cold compresses on the parotid glands to alleviate swelling.
* Taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to manage pain and reduce inflammation.
* Preventing secondary bacterial infections.
* Considering the use of steroids in extremely complex and severe cases.

TREATMENT FOR MUMPS

Currently, there’s no specific treatment for mumps. Most treatment options cater to relieving symptoms like drinking lots of fluids, cold compresses, having soft foods that are easy to digest and gargling with salt water.

Pregnant women who are infected by the virus should consult a doctor.

VACCINE FOR MUMPS

Mandatory MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) vaccination has been introduced by the IAP (Indian Academy of Paediatrics) to prevent the disease from occurring.

The mumps vaccine is usually administered in childhood, which gives protection for a certain period.