Mumps |
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DESCRIPTION
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Mumps usually affects children between 2 and 12 years old, but can occur in people of all ages. It's an infection that causes pain and swelling in glands in the neck located a little below the ear. These glands make saliva. It takes 2 to 3 weeks for symptoms to develop after you catch the disease from an infected individual. Most people who come down with mumps are completely well after about 10 days.
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CAUSES
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Mumps is caused by a virus that spreads through saliva. It is very contagious; you can get it simply by being near someone who has the disease. The chances of getting the disease are greater if you have never received the mumps vaccine (part of the MMR shot).
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SYMPTOMS
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The first symptoms are fever, chills, headache, and loss of appetite. After 1 or 2 days, the saliva glands on one or both sides of the neck become swollen, hard, and painful. The ears may hurt, and it may become hard to chew or move the mouth. If the disease strikes a male after puberty, one or both testicles may also become red, swollen, and painful.
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CARE
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Antibiotics won't help. Care consists of making the child as comfortable as possible.
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