Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 4: Recognizing the symptoms
• Part 2 of 4: Treating mumps at home
• Part 3 of 4: Getting medical help
• Part 4 of 4: Preventing mumps
• Tips

Mumps is a highly contagious viral disease in which the salivary glands become inflamed. If you have not been vaccinated against mumps, you can get it from contact with the snot or saliva of an infected person when they sneeze or cough. There is no medical treatment for the virus yet. Treatment is aimed at relieving symptoms until the body's immune system has fought off the disease itself. But it is important that you call your doctor as soon as you suspect mumps in yourself or your child. All cases of mumps must be reported to prevent the disease from spreading.

To step

Part 1 of 4: Recognizing the symptoms

1. Keep in mind that mumps is contagious before symptoms appear. Mumps symptoms usually start 14 to 25 days after someone is infected. Someone with mumps is most contagious about 3 days before the face swells.
   • Also be aware that in 1 out of 3 cases, mumps does not have any obvious symptoms at all.
2. Check if the salivary glands are swollen. The most common symptom of mumps is swollen salivary glands, which causes a person to get "hamster cheeks." The salivary glands are two glands responsible for the production of saliva. They are on either side of the face, just in front of your ears and above your jaw.
   • Although usually two glands become swollen, it is also possible that only one gland swells.
   • The swelling can cause pain in the face, ears or jaw. You may also get a dry mouth and have trouble swallowing.
3. Watch for other common mumps symptoms. There are several other symptoms you can get before the salivary glands swell when you have mumps, such as:
   • Headache
   • Joint pain
   • Nausea and a generally ill feeling
   • Ear pain when you chew
   • Slight stomach ache
   • Loss of appetite
   • Fever of 38ºC or higher
4. Check to see if your testicles or breasts are swollen. If you're a man aged 13 or older, your testicles may swell. If you are a woman 13 or older, your breasts may become swollen.
   • Women who have mumps can also develop swollen ovaries.
   • The swelling can be painful in both men and women. However, it rarely leads to infertility.
5. Get diagnosed by a doctor. Swollen salivary glands and the above symptoms are usually a clear sign that you have mumps. But other viruses (such as the flu) can also cause the salivary glands to swell, if only on one side. In rare cases, the swelling may also be caused by a bacterial infection or blocked salivary glands. Your doctor can confirm that you have the virus by looking at the symptoms. Your doctor can also do a blood or urine test to make the diagnosis.
   • It is also important to notify your doctor if you have mumps so that he / she can report it to the GGD. This can prevent others from getting mumps. Occasionally there is an outbreak of mumps, especially in regions where children are not vaccinated against the disease for religious reasons.
   • Although usually not a dangerous disease, mumps does have the same symptoms as dangerous diseases such as mononucleosis and tonsillitis. That's why it's important to talk to your doctor if you suspect mumps in yourself or your child.

Part 2 of 4: Treating mumps at home

1. Keep in mind that mumps usually clears up on its own within one to two weeks. Children usually recover from mumps after 10 to 12 days. After about 1 week, the swelling of the salivary glands decreases.
   • The average recovery time for adults is 16 to 18 days.
   • If the symptoms do not improve or get worse after 7 days, call your doctor.
2. Separate yourself and other sick people. Report sick and rest for at least five days. This way you avoid igniting others with mumps.
   • Your child may not go to school or daycare for at least five days from the moment the glands start to swell.
   • The GP reports a case of mumps to the GGD.
   • The GGD can investigate several cases of mumps.
3. Take a pain reliever. Ibuprofen or acetaminophen can relieve pain and discomfort in your face, ear, or jaw.
   • Ask your doctor which pain reliever you can give your child. Never give aspirin to children under 18.
4. Apply a warm or cold compress to the swollen glands. This will reduce swelling and relieve pain.
5. Drink lots of water. It's important to stay hydrated when you have mumps by drinking plenty of water throughout the day.
   • Don't drink acidic drinks like fruit juice, as that can irritate your already irritated salivary glands even more. Water is best to drink when you have mumps.
   • Also, don't eat acidic foods like citrus fruits, as that will make the swollen glands even worse.
6. Eat foods that don't require too much chewing. For example, opt for soup, oatmeal, mashed potatoes and scrambled eggs.
7. Wear supportive sports underwear if you have pain in your crotch. You can also put an ice pack or bag of frozen peas on it to reduce pain and swelling.
   • If you have swollen breasts or stomach pain, a cold compress can relieve the pain in those areas.

Part 3 of 4: Getting medical help

1. Get immediate medical attention if you have severe symptoms. Go to the nearest hospital or call 911 if you get a stiff neck, convulsions, vomiting badly, feel weak or paralyzed or if you become (almost) unconscious. These could be signs of an inflammation of the brain such as meningitis or encephalitis.
   • Some people who have mumps can also get meningitis, and this should be treated by a doctor.
   • Encephalitis occurs when your brain becomes inflamed. If left untreated, it can lead to neurological problems and can be life-threatening.
2. Call your doctor if you have severe stomach pain and vomiting. These could be signs of an inflamed pancreas or pancreatitis.
3. Keep a close eye on children. Take your child to the doctor if they have a fit or if you are worried that they will become malnourished or dehydrated. These could be signs of a more serious illness or condition.
4. Call your doctor if you have mumps and are pregnant. Mumps can be dangerous during pregnancy and increases the risk of miscarriage in the first 12 to 16 weeks.
5. See your doctor if your hearing is impaired. In rare cases, mumps can lead to hearing loss in one or both ears. So if you notice that your hearing is getting worse in one or both ears, see your doctor. He / she can refer you to the ENT doctor.

Part 4 of 4: Preventing mumps

1. Make sure you've had both MMR vaccinations. The MMR vaccination is a vaccination against measles, mumps and rubella. This combination contains the safest and most effective form of any vaccine. If you have been vaccinated or if you have had the disease once, you are immune. However, a single dose of the vaccine will not provide adequate protection during an outbreak. Therefore, you must make sure that you have had two doses of the MMR vaccine.
   • This second dose has only been recommended since the 1990s. Thus, many young adults have not received a second dose of the vaccine. If you are an adult, talk to your doctor about the number of mumps vaccinations you have had and get the second dose as well.
   • It is recommended that a child is given two doses of the MMR vaccine before going to school. The first is given when a child is 14 months old. The second must be given when the child is 9 years old.
   • Although the injection often hurts a bit, most people do not experience serious side effects from the vaccine. Only 1 in 1,000,000 people experiences an allergic reaction.
   • Despite quite persistent rumors on the Internet as a result of a questionable study, the MMR vaccine does not cause autism.
2. Be aware of the circumstances where you don't need to get an MMR vaccine. If your doctor has taken blood and it turns out that you are immune to measles, mumps, and rubella, you don't need to get a vaccination. Even if you have already had two doses of the vaccine, it is no longer necessary.
   • In the event of a severe outbreak, your doctor may recommend a third vaccination to boost your immunity.
   • Women who are pregnant or plan to become pregnant within four weeks should not receive the vaccine.
   • It is also not recommended for people who have a life-threatening allergy to gelatin or the antibiotic neomycin.
   • Before you get vaccinated, ask your doctor if you have cancer, a blood disorder, or HIV / AIDS. Also talk to your doctor if you are taking steroids or other medications that can affect your immune system.
3. Practice good hygiene such as washing your hands and using a handkerchief. When you sneeze or cough, put a tissue over your nose and mouth. Dispose of used tissues and keep them away from others. Wash your hands regularly to prevent the spread of germs.
   • To avoid infecting others with mumps, it's important to stay home for at least five days after the diagnosis is made.
   • Mumps virus can spread through contaminated surfaces, so do not share cutlery or cups with someone who is contaminated, and be sure to clean surfaces (such as countertops, light switches, door handles, etc.) with an antibacterial detergent.

Tips

• There are several supposed home remedies that can relieve the discomfort of mumps, such as an asparagus seed and fenugreek paste, ginger and aloe vera with turmeric. Consult your doctor before trying these natural remedies to relieve pain.
• Ginger is very effective against mumps. Ginger has anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties, and it also relieves pain, making it a very good home remedy for mumps. Make a paste by drying and grinding a piece of ginger. Apply this paste to the affected areas, then it provides immediate relief. You can also eat or drink ginger.