children s health issues
Mumps
Symptoms of Mumps
Mumps symptoms begin 12 to 24 days after infection. Most people develop chills, headache, poor appetite, a general feeling of illness (malaise), and a low to moderate fever. These symptoms are followed in 12 to 24 hours by swelling of the salivary glands (parotitis), which is most prominent on the second day and lasts 5 to 7 days. Some children simply have swelling of the salivary glands without the other symptoms. The swelling results in pain when chewing or swallowing, particularly when swallowing acidic liquids, such as citrus fruit juices. The glands are tender when touched. At this stage, the temperature usually rises to 103 or 104° F (about 39.5 or 40° C) and lasts 1 to 3 days. About 25 to 30% of people do not develop symptoms. Mumps may affect organs other than the salivary glands, including the Testes Brain and tissue covering the brain Pancreas After puberty, about 30% of unvaccinated and 6% of vaccinated infected males develop inflammation of one or both testes ( Orchitis ). Inflammation of the testes causes swelling and severe pain. Once healed, the affected testis may be smaller, but In women, inflammation of the ovaries (oophoritis) is less commonly recognized, is less painful, and does not impair fertility. Mumps leads to inflammation of the layers of tissue covering the brain ( Viral Meningitis ) in 1 to 10% of people who have swelling of the salivary glands. Meningitis causes headache, vomiting, and a stiff neck. Mumps also causes inflammation of the brain ( Encephalitis ) in 1 out of 1,000 people. Encephalitis causes drowsiness, coma, or seizures. Most people recover completely, but some have permanent nerve or brain damage, such as deafness or paralysis of the facial muscles, usually affecting only one side of the body. Mumps is thought to be a major cause of one-sided deafness in children in parts of the world where vaccination rates are low. Inflammation of the pancreas ( Overview of Pancreatitis ) may occur toward the end of the first week of infection. This disorder causes abdominal pain, severe nausea, and vomiting. These symptoms disappear in about a week, and the person recovers completely. Other complications, such as swelling of the liver, kidneys, or heart muscle, occur but are extremely rare. Complications are less common among people who have been already been vaccinated. 