Mumps is a viral infection that spreads easily and can affect many parts of the body but, mainly affects the salivary glands which are located behind each cheek between the ear and the jaw. Mumps causes swelling and pain in the salivary glands. Causes of Mumps Mumps is a viral infection and spreads easily from person to person through infected saliva, sneezing or coughing and sharing utensils with an infected person. The onset of symptoms usually occurs 14-18 days after exposure to the virus. Symptoms of Mumps: The symptoms are very mild and include fever, headache, loss of appetite, weakness, pain while chewing and swallowing and swelling in the cheeks. Diagnosis of Mumps: A simple test can confirm mumps as swelling is visible in the jaw just in front of the ears. Culture or blood test will be done and this will also confirm the diagnosis. Presence of antibodies in the blood will easily confirm a viral infection. Treatment of Mumps: Since mumps is a viral infection, it is not treatable with antibiotics and resolves on its own within two weeks. Painkillers like ibuprofen or paracetamol can be used and applying cold packs on the swollen area also helps. Home remedies include giving painkillers, providing complete rest, applying ice/cold packs on the swollen area, providing soft diet that does not require much chewing, increasing fluid intake, avoiding citrus fruits and isolating the patient to prevent the spread of the disease. Prevention of Mumps: MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccination is the safest and most effective procedure to prevent mumps. Two doses of MMR are usually given: one at 12–15 months of age and the second at 4–6 years of age or at 11–12 years of age if the first dose has not been given.
