Mumps is medically classified as a contagious disease in which a virus causes salivary gland enlargement. The illness usually occurs during childhood. Recovery takes place in a few days, but complications frequently develop, most commonly in patients older than twelve years.
Doctors say that the symptoms – chilliness, headache, lack of appetite, and moderate fever – begin two to four weeks after contact, and usually appear a few hours before the salivary glands become painful. According to medical experts, the parotid gland, situated just in front of the ear, is usually primarily affected. Any of the salivary glands may be involved. Pain in the involved glands is induced by external pressure on the gland, by swallowing, or by taking sour substances into the mouth. The swelling usually lasts from three to six days.
Medical records show that the most common serious complication is an involvement of the sex glands, either testes (orchitis) or ovaries. In about one-fourth of the cases among older boys and men, at least one of the testes is affected. The affected testis is swollen and painful. In some cases, the organ later atrophies, being rendered sexually sterile. Unless both testes are thus involved, experts say that a man is still capable of fatherhood. Even when one or both testes atrophy, the male sex hormones are produced in normal fashion. Comparable involvement of the ovaries in women is less common, experts add.
According to doctors, there is no specific treatment, but a child with mumps should be kept at home until a week after all swelling of his salivary glands has disappeared. He should be kept away from other children or from adults who have not had the disease. Patients over twelve should remain in bed until their fever has disappeared. Recommended nursing care is as follows:
1) The patient, especially if over twelve years of age, should be protected against chilling.
2) Swollen salivary glands may be less painful if a hot-water bottle or an ice bag is placed over them for a few minutes each hour. The choice of heat or cold depends on which makes a patient more comfortable.
3) The patient should receive light food, easily swallowed.
4) The patient is made more comfortable by rinsing the mouth every two or three hours with a warm salt solution (one level teaspoonful of salt to a pint or 450 c.c. of water).
5) In cases in which the testes become involved, the patient should be kept at absolute bed rest and the scrotum supported by a large tuft of cotton or by an adhesive tape bridge placed between the thighs to support the weight of the swollen scrotum. Periodic application of an ice bag to the scrotum may provide some relief.
6) If the pancreas becomes involved, it is usually advisable to feed the patient by vein, not by mouth.
7) If complications develop, a physician should be in charge of the case.
8) A mumps vaccine is available for immunization.
About 10 percent of all cases of mumps develop some degree of encephalitis with severe headache, drowsiness, and vomiting. Usually this complication clears up spontaneously.
Another occasional complication is pancreatitis, with severe nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Even with this development, spontaneous recovery usually ensues within a week.
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