Mumps
Mumps is a contagious viral illness, spread by bodily fluids, that causes uncomfortable symptoms including swelling of the salivary glands, fever, body aches, and fatigue. Many people that contract mumps have no symptoms, and dont realize that they were even infected. Rarely, some people develop serious complications with mumps, including inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report less than 1000 cases annually, thanks to widespread vaccination. If you become ill with mumps, there is no treatment. You should isolate yourself from others to reduce the spread of the disease.
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- Q What causes mumps?
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The mumps virus causes mumps. The virus is transmitted through the saliva. Someone who has mumps can spread the virus by coughing or sneezing. You can catch mumps by eating or drinking with the same utensils as someone who has mumps. Mumps is a very... Full Answer
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- Q Should I tell my child's school about their mumps?
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Mumps is a very contagious viral disease. Most children are vaccinated against mumps in infancy, but full immunity requires either two doses of the vaccine or complete recovery from mumps infection. Young children remain at risk for contracting mumps if... Full Answer
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- Q Should I talk to my doctor about my mumps symptoms?
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Mumps can cause dangerous complications. Complications do not occur often, but when they do, they can become life-threatening. The complications of mumps include encephalitis, pancreatitis, meningitis, paralysis of facial muscles, hearing loss,... Full Answer
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- Q What is mumps?
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Mumps is a viral disease also known as epidemic parotitis. It swells the parotid glands, which are salivary glands found just beneath the ears. Mumps can cause serious complications, but is preventable by vaccine. Because outbreaks of this contagious... Full Answer
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- Q What lifestyle changes should I make if I have mumps?
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If you have mumps, take it easy. Rest in bed and stay well-hydrated until your fever has broken. Avoid foods that are difficult to chew and acidic foods, since both of these can worsen the pain associated with mumps. Quarantine yourself as much... Full Answer
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- Q Is mumps serious?
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Most people who contract the virus that causes mumps recover without lasting ill effects. However, mumps has the potential to cause serious, even life-threatening, complications. Complications of mumps include pancreatitis, encephalitis,... Full Answer
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- Q How long does mumps last?
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The symptoms of mumps usually begin two or three weeks after you are exposed to the virus. Symptoms last about 16 to 18 days. You should consider yourself contagious during the first week following diagnosis. Full Answer
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- Q How does mumps affect the body?
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Mumps causes swelling in the parotid glands on either side of the neck. The cheeks can become quite swollen. Fatigue, weakness and fever can occur. Mumps can make eating painful. Mumps may cause dangerous complications, including encephalitis,... Full Answer
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- Q How do other illnesses affect mumps?
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Conditions that weaken the immune system may make you more likely to contract mumps, but the bigger risk is that they may prevent you from getting the vaccine. The mumps vaccine is made from a live virus, and those with poorly functioning immune... Full Answer
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- Q What are the symptoms of mumps?
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Dr. Michael Roizen, Internal MedicineMumps causes fever, headache, and painfully swollen salivary glands. It can lead to meningitis and brain swelling. In very rare cases, mumps can cause testicles to swell, which can lead to infertility. Full Answer
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