best method to treat mumps

Written by Huang Kun Mei
Pediatrics
Updated on September 19, 2024
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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 Wang Ji Zhong
Internal Medicine
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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 Tong Peng
Pediatrics
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What are the early symptoms of mumps?

Mumps in children is a contagious disease, and its complications can cause significant damage to the body. Its early symptoms often manifest as swelling below the earlobe, sometimes starting on one side and then appearing on the opposite side a few days later, or swelling can occur simultaneously on both sides, including the entire area around the earlobe, often with noticeable redness and tenderness. Additionally, affected children may also experience fever, headache, sore throat, loss of appetite, and nausea. Diagnosis can be confirmed through lymph nodes in the neck and an ultrasound of the parotid gland, and it can also be diagnosed by complete blood count and antibody tests to provide symptomatic treatment.

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Written by Hu Qi Feng
Pediatrics
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Treatment methods for children's mumps

Mumps currently has no specific antiviral treatment; treatment is primarily symptomatic. It is important to maintain oral cleanliness, provide a light diet, avoid acidic foods, and drink plenty of water. For symptoms such as high fever and headache, or concurrent inflammation of the testicles, antipyretic analgesics should be administered. Traditional Chinese medicine treatments often involve clearing heat and detoxifying, softening hardness and relieving pain. Common treatments include modified Puji Xiaodu Yin taken orally or Qing Dai mixed with vinegar applied topically. Under medical guidance, ribavirin can be used in the early stages of the disease, administered intravenously at a dose of 10 to 15 milligrams per kilogram of body weight per day, with a treatment course of 5 to 7 days. Corticosteroids may be used for severe cases for a short course of three to five days.

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Written by Wang Ji Zhong
Internal Medicine
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What are the symptoms of mumps?

In clinical settings, there are two types of mumps: suppurative mumps and epidemic mumps. Suppurative mumps is caused by Staphylococcus aureus infection; while epidemic mumps is caused by a mumps virus infection. Particularly severe cases of mumps can have serious complications including fever, orchitis, pneumonia, etc. Thus, it is crucial to detect and treat it early. Common symptoms of suppurative mumps include swelling and pain in the salivary glands, with redness, swelling, heat, and pain appearing prominently. When pressure is applied to the swollen gland, pus can be seen flowing from the salivary duct. Epidemic mumps usually has an acute onset and is more common in the winter and autumn. It also features enlargement of the salivary glands, accompanied by headache, fever, and loss of appetite. There will be redness and swelling around the mouth, eventually developing into central swelling at the earlobe, affecting eating, and with localized feverish skin.

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Written by Wang Ji Zhong
Internal Medicine
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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.