Context:
Recently, Mumps cases in children are on rise in the states of Maharashtra and Telangana which has become a cause of concern for parents.
Relevance:
GS II: Health
About Mumps: A Contagious Paramyxovirus Infection
Causative Agent:
- Mumps is a contagious disease caused by a paramyxovirus.
Symptoms:
- Gland Swelling:
- It can cause swelling of the parotid glands on each side of the face, leading to tenderness or pain.
- Age Group Affected:
- It is an acute disease that commonly infects children and young adults.
Transmission:
- Virus Host and Spread:
- Humans are the only known host for the mumps virus.
- Spread occurs through direct contact or airborne droplets from the upper respiratory tract of infected individuals.
Symptoms and Progression:
- Incubation Period:
- After an incubation period of 2 to 4 weeks, mumps manifests with non-specific symptoms like myalgia, headache, malaise, and low-grade fever.
- Gland Swelling:
- Within days, swelling of the parotid salivary glands occurs, affecting other salivary glands in 10% of cases.
- Disease Nature:
- Mumps is typically a mild, self-limiting disease that resolves without complications.
- Possible Complications:
- Complications may include encephalitis or sensorineural deafness.
- Orchitis, a painful inflammation of the testes, occurs in 20% of young adult males with mumps.
Treatment and Prevention:
- No Specific Treatment:
- There is no specific treatment for mumps, but various symptoms can be relieved with medicines.
- Immunization:
- Prevention involves ensuring immunization against mumps, particularly in children, as the most effective safeguard.
-Source: Hindustan Times
