| Mumps | | | | About 1/3 of people have no symptoms. |
| Definition: | | | | Others can have swollen glands (swollen cheeks), |
| Mumps is an acute , contagious, viral illness | | | | headache, fever, and earache. |
| characterized by painful enlargement of the parotid | | | | Sore muscles |
| glands, just below and in front of the ear, and at | | | | Loss of appetite |
| times, the salivary glands under the jaw and | | | | Headache |
| sometimes of the pancreas, ovaries, or testes. | | | | Earache that is aggravated by chewing |
| Together with the likes of measles and chickenpox , | | | | In men and adolescent boys, swelling in one or both |
| mumps was once considered one of the inevitable | | | | testes |
| infectious diseases of childhood. This disease, mainly | | | | Aversion to light, lethargy, and a stiff neck |
| affecting children, can be prevented by vaccination. | | | | Upper abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting |
| Mumps is characterized by a painful swelling of both | | | | Lower abdominal pain in women |
| cheeks. In some cases, the swelling may occur in only | | | | Temperature is moderately high, usually lasting for |
| one cheek, or there may be no swelling at all. The | | | | 3-4 days. |
| word "mumps" comes from an old English word | | | | Eating or drinking acidic or citric foods causes much |
| meaning lumps or bumps in the cheeks. | | | | discomfort. |
| Causes of mumps: | | | | Other symptoms may include testicular pain (in |
| Mumps is caused by a mumps virus, an RNA virus of | | | | males), seizures, stiff neck, and difficulty |
| the paramyxovirus family of viruses. It spreads from | | | | swallowing.not feeling well |
| person to person as well as through contact with | | | | The mouth may feel dry. |
| contaminated items and surfaces. | | | | You may feel tired and off your food for a few |
| Once the mumps virus enters the body, it passes | | | | days. |
| into the bloodstream and can spread to many | | | | Home remedies for mumps: |
| different glands and to the brain. | | | | Some important home remedies for mumps includes: |
| Mumps occurs most often in children ages two | | | | Don't be tart: Avoid giving your child citrus fruits or |
| through twelve, although unvaccinated adults are also | | | | juices, or any other food that is high in acid, when he |
| susceptible. | | | | or she is suffering from mumps. |
| People with mumps are contagious for about a week | | | | Ginger powder: A paste made with dry ginger |
| before and two weeks after the onset of | | | | powder and water is applied on the visibly swollen |
| symptoms, which occurs about two to three weeks | | | | parts. |
| after exposure to the mumps virus. | | | | Mullein tea: Apply a cloth soaked in mullein tea to |
| Mumps is mainly caused by a virus. The incubation | | | | affected areas to help with swelling. |
| period is from 16-18 days, ranging from 12-25 days | | | | Herbal treatment for mumps: |
| after exposure. The period when someone is most | | | | Here are some important herbal treatment for |
| infectious to others is from 1-2 days before and 5 | | | | mumps: |
| days after the onset of swelling in the glands. | | | | Indian Aloe: |
| The chances of getting the disease are greater if | | | | The use of the herb Indian aloe is a wellknown |
| you have never received the mumps vaccine. Once | | | | remedy in the indigenous system of medicine for any |
| you have had mumps you will develop an immunity | | | | inflamed and painful part of the body. |
| to it and will not get it again. | | | | Asparagus: |
| Mumps is spread through direct contact with saliva, | | | | The seeds of asparagus are valuable in mumps. |
| e.g. kissing or sharing objects contaminated with | | | | These seeds, combined with an equal proportion of |
| infected saliva (e.g. cups, cutlery). The mumps virus is | | | | fenugreek (methi) seeds, should be ground together |
| also present in nasal and throat discharge. | | | | to the consistency of a paste. This paste can be |
| Other common causes of mumps includes: | | | | applied over the swellings. |
| Droplets from coughs & sneezes | | | | Herbs: |
| Lack of immunization | | | | An acute attack can be managed using the mixture |
| Symptoms of Mumps: | | | | of concentrated extracts of the herbs Rosehips, |
| The symptoms and signs of mumps are: | | | | Hypericum, Phytolacca, Fennel and Chamomile with |
| The first symptoms usually appear 16 to 18 days | | | | the Bach Flower Rescue Remedy. This is taken at a |
| after exposure. It begins with fever and pain upon | | | | dose rate of 15 drops three times daily in water and |
| opening the mouth | | | | continued for 6 to 8 weeks. |