What causes mumps?
Mumps is caused by a virus. How does mumps spread? Mumps spreads from person to person through the air. It is less contagious than measles or chickenpox. How long does it take to show signs of mumps after being exposed? The incubation period of mumps is 14-18 days, but can range from 14-25 days. What are the symptoms of mumps? Individuals with mumps usually first feel sick with such nonspecific symptoms as headache, loss of appetite, and low-grade fever. The most well-known sign of mumps is “parotitis,” the swelling of the salivary glands, or parotid glands, below the ear. Parotitis occurs only in 30%-40% of individuals infected with mumps. Up to 20% of persons with mumps have no symptoms of disease, and another 40%-50% have only nonspecific or respiratory symptoms. How serious is mumps? In children, mumps is usually a mild disease. Adults may have more serious disease and more complications. What are possible complications from mumps?
Mumps is caused when there glands are invaded by a virus. And it is spread almost entirely by direct contact with a person who is infected. The virus is present in the saliva and in the secretions of the nose. Everybody knows what a person with the mumps looks like: there is a swelling about the ears and the jaws. The swelling appears first on one side and then the other. This is often the first recognizable symptom of the disease. There may also be a sudden rise in body temperature, to about 40 degrees centigrade, and headache and vomiting. Mumps is primarily a disease of children and young adults, though; in rare cases it occurs in adults. Children usually get it between the ages of five and fifteen, and especially between the ages of seven and nine. In almost all cases, after a person has had one attack of mumps he is immune to the disease. Among children, mumps is considered to be a harmless disease if it is detected early and if there is proper treatment.
Root Causes of Mumps and Natural Treatments Mumps – medically referred to as epidemic parotitis – is a condition that arises when the salivary glands (also known as the parotid glands) have swollen and also cause discomfort and pain. Mumps can also lead to swelling of the testicles and in some cases, rash might also be noticed on the skin. While mumps merely leads to bulky necks in children, in adults it can also lead to complications such as infertility. Mumps may also be accompanied by spells of fever and throbbing annoying headaches. The swelling of the salivary glands makes chewing a herculean task as you have to bear the pain near the lower jaw as you crunch on your food. A common treatment followed to relieve pain in such cases is the application of ice or heat around the areas affected by the viral disease. You can also mix salt in some warm water and use this water to gargle frequently.
