Mumps : Outbreak
Kerala is facing an outbreak of mumps, with over 10,000 children affected in less than 70 days.
- Mumps is a contagious disease caused by the mumps virus, which belongs to a group of viruses known as paramyxoviruses.
- The illness starts with mild symptoms such as headache, fever, and fatigue.
- But then it typically leads to severe swelling in certain salivary glands (parotitis) that causes puffy cheeks and a tender, swollen jaw.
- Humans are the only known host for the mumps virus, which is spread via direct contact or by airborne droplets from the upper respiratory tract of infected individuals.
- Mumps most commonly affects children between the ages of 2 to 12 who haven’t received the mumps vaccine.
- However, adolescents and adults can get mumps despite being vaccinated against it. This occurs because there’s waning immunity to the vaccine after several years.
- The average incubation period for mumps is 16 to 18 days, with a range of 12 to 25 days.
- Many children have no or very mild symptoms. The following are the most common symptoms of mumps that may be seen in both adults and children:
- Discomfort in the salivary glands (in the front of the neck) or the parotid glands (immediately in front of the ears).
- Either of these glands may become swollen and tender.
- There is no specific treatment for mumps.
- The various symptoms may be relieved with medicines.
