Mumps Symptoms
Mumps is a severe, proactive disease which is caused by a virus called paramyxovirus. It is generally identified by the enlargement of parotids, which is a salivary gland. Swelling in ovaries, pancreas and testes can also be seen in some cases. There is an inflammation of salivary glands due to which jaws and cheeks of the patient swells.
The incubation period of the disease is very long. It may last for about 14 to 25 days. This means that the symptoms of the mumps occur after a long period of infection. The symptoms of the disease are imprecise and include malaise, myalgia, headache, low grade fever and anorexia.
The virus (paramyxovirus) can enter the body all the way through throat and nose. The symptoms can be realized once the virus enters and multiplies in the membrane of the brain, ovaries, pancreas, glands, and testicles including other parts of the body.
Mumps is a transmittable disease, that can be easily spread through sexual contact, saliva exchange during kissing, through urine and airborne droplets. It is difficult to track down the source of infection because the virus becomes contagious after a week of infection breakout.
The main Symptoms of Mumps
The signs and symptoms of mumps include sore throat, fatigue and slight feverish. These symptoms lead to a raise in the body temperature till approximately 40 degree. Swelling in the body, including ovaries in women and testicles in men also occurs during disease. Apart from these other major symptoms are:
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Dry mouth
- Headache
- Parotid gland gets swelled
- Stiff neck
- Vomiting and nausea
- Earache
- Pain in lower abdomen in women
- Soar throat and feverish.
Mumps is not a harmful disease and generally symptoms subside within 10 days of infection.
Although the above mentioned symptoms are obnoxious, the matter of concern during the disease is the infection in the other organs, in case the disease is not treated on time.
In serious cases of males (sexually matured) with mumps, the chances of sterility increase, due to the infection in testicles along with high fever, soreness, swelling and pain. However, there is only 50 percent possibility, in which men can contract sterility or orchitis. Out of these, 10% have the chances of infection in both the testicles. Boys, who are sexually not matured and have not reached the puberty, does not suffer from inflammation of the testicles during the mumps.
In women, the risk of ovarian inflammation and oophoritis is lower than that of inflammation of testicles in men. The disease somehow does not affect the fertility.
One of the uncommon complications during mumps is pancreatitis or inflammation in pancreas.
Out of the several symptoms, meningitis (inflammation of brain or spinal membrane) is also a rare complication, which occurs on the third to tenth days after beginning of disease. Meningitis, in connection with mumps is a mild disorder. Otherwise, it is a serious disease. Special care and close attention of the patient is required.
Mumps-meningitis symptoms include:
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Hatred for bright light
- Stiff neck
- Bending of head little backward
Immediate medical treatment with bed rest is required during mumps. With several safety measures and precautions, you can easily keep yourself away from mumps.
