MUMPS IN KIDS

If you happen to observe your kid showing unusual symptoms, rejects to have his favorite food, irritated and disturbed, fever, tiredness followed by puffing of cheeks, then you can suspect your child to have a viral infection called mumps.

Mumps is a sudden occurring viral infection usually spread through saliva, affecting the parotid salivary glands. There is pain and swelling of the salivary glands on one or either sides in front of and below each ear and sometimes swelling of glands near the jaw line is also observed.

Mumps is highly contagious, spreads easily from person to person by sneezing, coughing and talking or touching the surface covered with infected droplets. It can be contagious from two days prior to the symptoms to 5 days after. The child needs to be isolated until he/she is no longer infectious. The infection generally lasts for 7-14days and resolves gradually.

There is no specific treatment for the infection. Palliative care like giving hot and cold packs for the parotid gland pain and swelling can be given. Pain relievers can be given. Make them drinks lots of water to maintain hydration.

Mumps can be prevented by vaccinating your child with MMR vaccine (Measles-Mumps-Rubella) given in two doses. This may be done at 12 months and 18 months or 15 months and 4-6 years.