MUMPS
– SCI & TECH
News:
On the resurgence of
mumps in Kerala | Explained
What's
in the news?
●
Mumps, an acute viral infection which
historically affects children, has been spreading like wildfire in Kerala, for
the past few months.
Key
takeaways:
●
Not just Kerala, a resurgence in cases was
being reported from several States, including Maharashtra, Telangana and Andhra
Pradesh as well.
Mumps:
●
It is a contagious disease caused by a paramyxovirus.
●
It can cause the parotid glands, the ones on each side of the face to
swell and they may also be tender or painful.
●
It is an acute disease which infects children and young adults.
Transmission:
●
Humans
are the only known host for mumps virus, which is spread via
direct contact or by airborne droplets from the upper respiratory tract of
infected individuals.
Symptoms:
●
After an incubation period of some 2 to 4
weeks mumps begins with non-specific symptoms such as myalgia, headache,
malaise and low-grade fever.
●
Within days, these symptoms are followed
by unilateral or bilateral swelling of the parotid salivary glands, with other
salivary glands affected in 10% of cases.
●
Normally mumps is a mild, self-limiting
disease and disappears without sequelae.
●
However, complications may occur such as
encephalitis or sensorineural deafness.
●
Orchitis (a painful inflammation of the
testes) occurs in 20% of young adult males who develop mumps.
Treatment:
●
There is no specific treatment for mumps. The various symptoms may be
relieved with medicines.
Prevention:
●
The best way to protect kids is to make
sure they're immunised against mumps.