About Mumps:
Mumps is a viral diseased caused by the mumps virus which leads to painful swelling of the salivary glands.It is highly contagious and passes easily from person to person, so prevention is very important. The mumps vaccine is the best way to prevent mumps.
Symptoms:
The main symptom of mumps is painful swelling in the cheeks and neck. Symptoms can also include:
- fever,
- headache or earache,
- tiredness,
- sore muscles,
- dry mouth,
- trouble talking, chewing or swallowing, or
- loss of appetite.
Incidence:
Mumps most commonly occurs in children ages 2 – 12 who have not been vaccinated against the disease. However, the infection can occur at any age. The time between being exposed to the virus and getting sick (incubation period) is usually 12 – 24 days.
Treatment and Control:
Although most people fully recover from mumps within 7 to 10 days, in rare cases the virus may cause complications. These include deafness, meningitis (infection of the covering of the brain and spinal cord) or infections of the testicles or ovaries. There is no specific cure for mumps.