Mumps: what are, symptoms, causes and treatment of mumps?
Although we are facing a common infection which is popularly known by the name of mumps, the truth is that its most correct medical name is that of parotitis. It is a infection caused by a virus that affects the parotid.
Although the mumps produce different symptoms, the most well-known is the swelling of both the cheeks and the jaw, due to the inflammation of the salivary glands. 
What are parotids?
¿ The parotids are the salivary glands, which we found located on both sides of the face, both in the upper part and in the lateral part of the neck.
They are really two salivary glands of large size, bulky, and that are located as we indicated on both sides of the face. It produces the largest amount of saliva, predominantly serous, and among other important aspects they fulfill the function of ensalivar together with the sublingual gland and the two submaxillary glands.
And mumps or mumps?
In the case of mumps or parotitis we are precisely with the inflammation of the parotid, usually caused by a virus, which is transmitted from one person to another through the droplets of moisture from both the nose and the mouth, which the infected person transmits for example when sneezing or coughing. It is in fact a very contagious disease. 
On the other hand, it is also a type of infection that spreads from direct contact with items or items containing saliva infected with the virus.
Although in reality anyone can suffer mumps, the reality is that they occur with some frequency, especially in children between 2 and 12 years old, who have not been vaccinated against the disease. Moreover, it is also common for teenage students to be affected in institutes or universities.
What are the symptoms of mumps?
The time that passes from when the person or child is exposed to the virus to the moment of beginning or beginning the first symptoms (which is medically known as the incubation period) is approximately 12 to 25 days. Although the most common is that symptoms appear between 16 to 18 days after contracting the infection.
It is common that at the beginning of the infection, when the incubation period has already passed, muscle pain, headache, low-grade fever and pain that intensifies when chewing at the level of the parotid region. 
Approximately towards the third day appears the usual inflammation of the parotid gland, either on one side of the face or both. There is also a sore throat and loss of appetite.
The main complications of mumps
In the case of adults, complications may occur. The most common are the following:
- Orchitis:It consists of inflammation of the testicles, especially in males who have reached puberty. Although in few occasions, there is a risk of causing fertility problems.
- Meningitis:Inflammation of the tissue that covers both the brain and the spinal cord.
- Encephalitis:Inflammation of the brain.
- Ovaritis:Inflammation of the ovaries in women who have reached puberty.
- Mastitis:Inflammation of the breasts (in women who have reached puberty).
- Hearing problems and / or deafness.
How long does the mumps last?
From the moment in which the first symptoms appear, and in case there are no complications, the usual thing is that the mumps remit to the cure within a weekapproximately. Of course, we must take into account that the increase in the size of the parotid gland, as a result of inflammation, reaches its highest volume between the second and third day.
Vaccine against mumps
Did you know that there is a vaccine that helps protect our children against mumps? It consists of a combined vaccine that protects against three viral diseases: mumps, rubella and measles. 
It is a very safe vaccine which follows the pattern of administering two doses, the first one at 12 months of age, and the second at 4 years of age.
In Spain it is a free vaccine, which is included in the Child Vaccination Calendar, which is administered at the corresponding Health Center. This article is published for informational purposes only. It can not and should not replace the consultation with a Physician. We advise you to consult your Trusted Doctor. ThemesRespiratory infections
