How to distinguish between toothache and mumps

Written by Wang Peng

Dentistry

Updated on September 23, 2024

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Tooth pain and mumps are easy to distinguish. First, when a tooth has a deep cavity, it becomes sensitive to hot and cold stimuli, producing transient pain. If there is periapical periodontitis or pulpitis, the pain becomes spontaneous and persists, worsening at night and becoming intolerable. If a patient has mumps, there is usually swelling and pain in the head and face, centered around the earlobe. Upon examination, the opening of the parotid duct inside the mouth is visibly swollen and pus is discharged when pressed.

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Written by Huang Kun Mei

Pediatrics

43sec

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best method to treat mumps

The best treatment for mumps mainly depends on the specific condition of the child. If it is bacterial mumps, give the child some anti-infection drugs for treatment, and if there is suppuration, antibacterial treatment is necessary, along with standardized treatment. There is also epidemic mumps. If it is epidemic mumps, it is necessary to apply topical medications and timely administer oral antiviral drugs to the child because epidemic mumps is a self-healing infectious disease. Pay attention to a light, easily digestible diet, and avoid giving the child spicy and greasy foods.

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Written by Yuan Jun Li

Neurology

1min 11sec

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Can mumps cause facial paralysis?

Mumps generally does not cause facial paralysis. This disease is an inflammation caused by a viral infection of the salivary glands. Patients mainly exhibit symptoms of redness, swelling, heat, and pain in the area of the salivary glands, primarily located behind the ears. It occurs mostly in children, but adults can also contract the disease. Treatment mainly involves antiviral medications and drugs that clear heat and detoxify, as well as possible physical therapy. Facial paralysis, also known as facial neuritis, is caused by a viral invasion that leads to the demyelination of the facial nerve. This might also be related to exposure to cold winds. The main symptoms include paralysis of the facial expression muscles affecting the eyelids and other facial features, which may lead to widened eye slits, disappearance of forehead lines, flattening of the nasolabial fold, and deviation of the mouth corner. There may also be issues such as air leakage while whistling.

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Written by Wang Ji Zhong

Internal Medicine

1min 5sec

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How is mumps treated in children?

The mumps we commonly refer to as children's mumps is epidemic mumps, which is prevalent among children and is a contagious disease caused by the mumps virus. It commonly occurs in the autumn and winter seasons and presents symptoms like fever and swollen salivary glands, along with general discomfort. It also frequently leads to complications such as meningitis, orchitis, and oophoritis. Patients may experience mild pain and increased pain when opening the mouth to eat. In such cases, it is important to isolate the patient, ensure bed rest until the swelling of the salivary glands completely subsides, and maintain oral cleanliness. Avoid acidic foods that may irritate the mouth, ensure adequate fluid intake, and focus on symptomatic treatment. Since antibiotics are ineffective against the mumps virus, severe cases may require antiviral medication treatment and attention to local swelling and pain relief, hoping for a swift recovery. (Please use medication under the guidance of a medical professional.)

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Written by Wang Ji Zhong

Internal Medicine

48sec

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Is mumps contagious?

The mumps commonly referred to is epidemic mumps, which is highly contagious, caused by an infection of the mumps virus leading to inflammation and swelling of the salivary glands, constituting an acute respiratory infectious disease. It is primarily transmitted through saliva, with individuals suffering from mumps serving as the contagion source. Viruses can be secreted via the saliva of infected individuals about two weeks before and after the onset of infection, hence its contagious nature. After developing symptoms, patients should be promptly isolated and treated to prevent transmission to others or to individuals with low immunity. Particularly during the spring and winter seasons, efforts should be made to avoid viral infections and seek timely treatment upon symptom onset.

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Written by Wang Ji Zhong

Internal Medicine

40sec

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How long is the isolation period for mumps?

The mumps we commonly refer to is an acute contagious disease caused by the mumps virus. It is transmitted through close contact with an infected individual or someone carrying the virus. Therefore, it is crucial to isolate individuals diagnosed with mumps in certain situations. Patients with mumps can shed the virus in their saliva from 7 days before until 9 days after the swelling of the salivary glands, making roughly a two-week period during which the infectiousness is at its peak. Therefore, patients with mumps need to be isolated for about two weeks to prevent the transmission of the virus to others.