Mumps is an infectious disease which is caused by a virus, and the parotid glands, which are also called salivary glands, are inflamed. Vaccination prevents mumps. In areas like Europe and North America, mumps vaccination is made compulsory for children to join in school.

Mumps is caused due to paramyxovirus, which is a kind of RNA virus. Paramyxoviruses also cause other infections like swelling of the brain, a condition that is known as encephalopathy.

Saliva is the harbor of this virus, and it is transmitted via sneezing, coughing and via any other contact. This is a disease which is contagious and the symptoms appear in two weeks.

The first symptom of mumps is high fever together with headache. After that the salivary gland starts to swell. Sometimes the pancreas and the reproductive organs also swell. In males, the testicles also swell, be painful and may lead to sterility. Mumps is not life threatening, but it inflames the spinal cord and brain which may lead to death if it is not treated.

The mumps can be treated depending upon the patient’s position. The patient should be fed and hydrated properly. Foods, which are soft, like yogurts and smoothies should be preferred. Aspirin can also be used to get rid of the pain, but aspirin is not good for kids because it may cause Reyes syndrome in kids.

Mumps is formally known as epidemic parotitis. Mumps is a word derived from old English which means swelling. Vaccination prevents a person from mumps, and also taking other measures like frequent washing of the hands and avoiding contact with an infected person.

More Articles :

• History Of Mumps
• Mumps And Pregnancy
• Mumps Symptoms
• What Is Mumps ?
• When Was The Mumps Vaccine Invented ?
• Who Discovered Mumps ?