May be you have noticed swelling on the neck of your kid, that extends to the cheeks. In addition, your kid is complaining of pain in the swollen parts. This is an indication that, you kid is suffering from mumps. It is a viral disease that is common in children, with World Health Organization-WHO, stating that it is rampant in developing countries. It is also termed as one of the childhood diseases that have been attacking children, since time immemorial. It is characterized by painful swelling, which emanates from the salivary glands. Before its vaccination was discovered, it accounted for the death of 20% of the global children. This therefore goes along in showing how serious mumps is. Even after the discovery of its vaccination, the WHO has maintained that it still remains a significant threat to the health of children, especially those that hails from developing world. Amid its vaccinations being at the disposal of many nations, cases of mumps outbreak have been reported.
Causes of Mumps
As stated earlier, mumps is a viral disease. It is caused by viral disease, one of the most contagious viruses, among the many such viruses that are responsible for a number of human diseases. The virus resides within the body of the affected child for a long time. The worst side of mumps is that, it is highly airborne.
It is therefore caused by spreading from one infected child to the other. Besides, it is more likely to attack children who reside near each other, or are closer to each other. This is due to the fact that, they share the same respiratory gases, thus enhancing their probability of contacting mumps. It can also be caused through the mouth, thanks to the tiny saliva drops that come out of the mouth while one is talking. Sneezing can have also been linked with contacting and spreading of mumps. Similarly, sharing drinking and eating utensils also plays a role in contacting and spreading of this disease.
The virus that is responsible for mumps, can also finds its way to the surfaces of objects, which many people touch unconsciously. For instance, it might find it way on stairs and doors that are frequently used by many people. Kissing has also been closely linked to the spreading of mumps virus. It exposes someone into direct contact to this virus, hence contacting them with this disease.
It is also worth noting that, mumps is a highly contagious disease, like said earlier before. It has been rated among the most contagious diseases, which have been attacking man from the time immemorial. Upon contacting it, one salivary glands starts to swell within the first nine days. It extends till the time the child will seek medical attention. Failure to do so can be deadly. At some extreme cases, there is dire need to isolate those children that are suffering from mumps from those that are free from it. This is due to the common understanding that, if one of the kid is having mumps, especially in schools, then the infected kid is in a position to infect the entire school.
The mumps virus has one of the longest incubation periods, as compared to the other air borne diseases that are prevalent in many places of the earth. However, that doesn't mean those mumps viruses are less severe than other types of virus that are found in other air borne diseases. The time taken for the incubation of the virus that is from the time a child is exposed to the mumps virus, to the time that they develop the first symptoms, is estimated to be between 14 to 18 days. Beyond this duration, it can be deadly and thus calls for the isolation of infected kids, from its counterparts who are healthy.
The spreading of mumps is also affected by seasons. Apparently, the rate at which the mumps virus is spread is higher at winter and spring seasons. This is due to the fact that the conditions for thriving of this virus are favorable at this season of the year. In addition, children who are subject to having a weakened immune system are prone to this disease. The other thing that is attributed to this disease is traveling to high risk regions. As stated earlier before. Mumps is prevalent in developing countries. Among these countries are located in Africa, Latin America and Southern East Asia. Those that are traveling to these regions are at a higher risk of contacting mumps. This is due to the fact that such region are still having low mumps vaccination rate. This therefore makes the prevalence of mumps to be very high. The other cause that has been attributed to mumps is failing to be immunized appropriately. This occurs especially when a child fails to take all the doses that are required, before one is in a position to claim that they are fully vaccinated from mumps. This therefore will lead to a scenario whereby there will be prone to getting mumps.
Symptoms of Mumps
Mumps too have their own symptoms, just like other diseases and conditions that are prevalent in many places of the world. Its symptoms usually become notable between 14 to 25 days, from the time one is infected with its virus. Among the symptoms that have long been linked to mumps includes among them.
- Swelling Of the Salivary Glands-This is the most common symptom of mumps. Upon contacting mumps, a child will complain of swelling of the two salivary glands. The swelling is accompanied by pain that causes discomfort on the affected child.
- Headaches-Headaches are also termed as the other symptom of mumps. Children will most of the time experience severe headaches, which can at times be accompanied by high fever.
- Joint Pain- Feeling pain and swelling of the joints is the other symptom of mumps. It is among the first symptoms of mumps, which is notable in many children once they are attacked by this disease.
- High temperatures-Experiencing high temperatures have also been termed as one of the key symptoms of mumps. This is accompanied by feelings of tiredness and having a dry mouth.
Mumps Home Remedies
Despite the fact that mumps is one of the most contagious childhood diseases, there are some home treatments that can be administered on children who have been attacked by mumps. Remember, you should always consult with your physician in order to get a proper diagnosis and before trying to incorporate these home remedies and herbal remedies yourself! Here are some of the home remedies that you can try.
- Placing ice on swollen parts-This is attributed to reducing the pain that is caused by the swelling of the salivary glands. One should not forget to place a clothing or towel of the affected parts. This one will help in protecting the skin from being affected by the ice.
- Drinking a lot of water– Being dehydrated can prompt mumps to become severe. Therefore, this calls for one to take a lot of water so as help in reducing fever and headache that is attributed to mumps.
- Mullein tea: Teas have always had a special place in the hearts of herbalists and it's easy to see why. Mullein tea is one of the effective herbal treatments for mumps. Simply soak a piece of cloth in mullein tea and apply it to the cheeks. This is the ideal way to combat any inflammation or swelling.
- Asparagus: The seeds of asparagus will also be very helpful in the home treatment of mumps. Grind asparagus seeds well to a paste like form and mix with an equal quantity of fenugreek seeds. To reduce the swelling, apply this paste gradually on the affected areas such as the cheeks.
- Margosa leaves: Though not so easy to come across, Margosa leaves can be efficient as a home remedy for mumps, especially is mixed with turmeric. To treat the condition quickly, simple apply this mixture on the inflamed parts.
- Ginger: Ginger, a common ingredient in many homes, has proven to be one of the popular herbal remedies for mumps. Mix fresh ginger with some water and apply on the affected areas. If you do this repeatedly for several days, your mumps will soon be fully healed.
- Aloe: Indian aloe to be specific will also be helpful as a home remedy for mumps. Peel one side of the Indian aloe leaf then warm it. Sprinkle some turmeric on it and add some extract of Indian barberry. If you bandage this around the infected area, you won't see the mumps after a while.
- Banyan tree: Leaves from the banyan tree have also been lauded as possible treatment for epidemic parotitis, the condition commonly referred to as mumps. If you are suffering from mumps and you can access extracts from this tree then there's no point seeking medical attention. With all these options, it should be easy to find one you can find easily.
If any of these remedies proves futile, one should consider medical attention. This is key in ensuring that the symptoms of this disease do not get more severe. In addition, it is good to isolate the affected kid from the rest of the family or school. This is not done with the aim of demoralizing the infected child, but rather with the sole aim of preventing mumps from spreading to other members of the family or school.
Diet for Mumps
There are specific diets that can be recommended to those kids that are suffering from mumps. These diets are revered for enabling the infected child to recover as soon as possible. In addition, they help in reducing the swelling that comes along with mumps. Among these diets that can be given to kids that are suffering from mumps includes among them soft foods, vegetables and fruits. They are also recommended to take high amount of milk. This is due to the reason that, milk contains a lot of nutrients that can make up for the food that the child is unable to eat, thanks to the swelling and pain caused by mumps. Children who are suffering from mumps can also be given porridge among many soft meals that they can be feed with.
Prevention of Mumps
Mumps can be prevented, just like other diseases that are prevalent on earth. Among the ways that one can prevent their kids from getting this contagious disease, is through vaccination. There are many vaccinations that are administered to kids, from their early age. One should therefore ensure that all their children have received the proper vaccinations for mumps. Failure to do so will lead to more problems in future; for mumps is due to occur in the child life time.
Isolating kids that are affected by mumps, from those that are not is the other effective way of preventing the spreading of mumps. This is due to the fact that mumps is a highly contagious airborne disease. Isolating the infected kids will therefore make sure that mumps will not spread to other unaffected kids.
One should also avoid taking their children to risk areas, where mumps is more prevalent than any other place. In case they have to go to such areas, they first have to make sure that they are immunized against mumps. By doing this, there will be very few cases of mumps.
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