Page 28 - (DK) Home Doctor: Providing practical advice on home treatments

26 COMMON CONDITIONS

INFECTIOUS DISEASES

Mumps

Mumps is a viral infection that was common in children before
WARNING
routine immunization. The incubation period is 2–3 weeks. The
illness usually starts with a fever, headache, and muscle aches. Contact your doctor urgently if any
of the following develop:
These are usually followed by swelling on one or both sides of
● Severe headache and avoidance
the face and neck of the parotid salivary glands, which are just in
of bright light
front of and below the ears. Talking, eating, and drinking may be ● Vomiting, seizures, or excessive
painful. Mumps is usually mild in children, but teenagers and drowsiness
adults may develop potentially serious complications.

See your doctor first
DRUG REMEDIES
Make an appointment to see your doctor to
confirm mumps and check for complications. Analgesics will bring down a fever and
relieve muscle aches and the pain of swollen glands.
● For a child, give acetaminophen (see p.177),
What you can do yourself available as liquid medicine or chewable pills, or
ibuprofen (see p.185), available as liquid medicine.
There is no specific treatment for mumps, but you Make sure you ask your pharmacist to recommend an
can make yourself or your child more comfortable. appropriate product for your child.
● Adults can take acetaminophen (see p.177) or
● Rest until symptoms begin to ease.
ibuprofen (see p.185).
● A warm compress, such as a washcloth soaked
in warm water, applied to the side of the face,
can help relieve pain in swollen glands.
PREVENTION
● Drink plenty of fluids, but avoid acidic fruit juices
because they stimulate saliva and may make the Immunization to protect against mumps is
enlarged glands more painful. Use a straw if given as part of the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)
opening your mouth is painful. vaccine. Make sure your child is immunized.
● Have soup, yogurt, and other soft, bland foods
that are easy to swallow.
● An analgesic will help reduce fever and relieve Seek further medical advice
aches and pains (see DRUG REMEDIES, right).
Arrange to see your doctor if you or your
● If mumps affects the testes, stay in bed and
child develops:
wear supportive clothing, such as two pairs of
● Pain in the abdomen or chest
close-fitting underpants, until symptoms ease.
● Swelling and pain in the testes
● If there are no complications, a child can usually
go back to school, or an adult return to work,
5 days after the onset of the illness. Full recovery,
however, can take 1–2 weeks.