Definition
Endemic mumps, synonymous with mumps, is a viral and contagious infectious disease involving two salivary glands (parotids) located just below the ears. Mumps is a "typical infection" of childhood and adolescence.
Causes
The causative agent most involved in the onset of mumps is the paramyxovirus (type Rubulavirus), a spherical virus found in the mother's milk, saliva, blood and urine of the affected person. The virus infects the organism exclusively through the respiratory mucous membranes.
Symptoms
If the incubation of the mumps virus is asymptomatic (2-3 weeks), the acute phase, on the other hand, involves heterogeneous symptoms: impaired hearing, asthenia, difficulty in swallowing and feeding, ear and facial pain, fever, swelling of the lymph nodes and headache.
Complications (very rare): orchitis, meningoencephalitis, sterility.
The information on Mumps - Medicines for the Treatment of Mumps is not intended to replace the direct relationship between health professional and patient. Always consult your doctor and / or specialist before taking Mumps - Mumps Medicines.
Medicines
It is recommended to subject the child - the target of the mumps - to vaccination as a prophylaxis of the disease; typically, a combination vaccine for measles, mumps and rubella is given (eg ProQuad, M-M-RVAXPRO).
What changes from 2017
With the decree law on vaccination prevention for minors from zero to 16 years, approved on 28/07/2017, vaccination against mumps has become mandatory.
This specific vaccination can be carried out with a single injection together with 3 other vaccination covers (the so-called quadrivalent MPRV vaccination, which includes vaccines: anti-measles, anti-rubella, anti-mumps, anti-varicella).
- The obligation to vaccinate against mumps is in force, in the context of the 10 mandatory vaccinations, for those born after 2017. Even those born after 2001 are subject to the obligation to vaccinate against mumps.
- Individuals immunized as a result of the natural disease are exempted from the vaccination obligation, so children who have already contracted mumps will not have to be vaccinated against this disease
We remind you that compulsory vaccinations are a requirement for admission to nursery schools and preschools (for children from 0 to 6 years old) and that the violation of the vaccination obligation entails the application of significant financial penalties.
For more information on mandatory vaccines in children see this article.
In any case, it is good to remember that 10% of vaccinated subjects still manifest mumps: generally, after the first infection, the patient remains almost immune for life (except for some rare cases).
There is no targeted and precise pharmacological treatment for the treatment of mumps: in most cases, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used. Cortisones are useful for patients suffering from mumps with degeneration into orchitis or meningitis.
- Paracetamol or acetaminophen (eg tachipirina): the administration of this drug is useful for lowering fever, a typical symptom that generally accompanies mumps. Paracetamol is administered at a dosage of 325-650 mg per day every 4-6 hours; alternatively, take 1 gram every 6-8 hours. It is also possible to administer the drug intravenously: 1 gram every 6 hours or 650 mg every 4 hours for adults and adolescents who weigh more than 50 kilos: if the patient weighs less than 50 kilos, administer 15 mg / kg every 6 hours or 12.5 mg / kg every 4 hours.
Do not administer acetylsalicylic acid (eg. ASPIRIN, Ascriptin, Aspro) to children under 12 with viral diseases to avoid the risk of Reye's syndrome.
- Cortisone (eg Cortis Acet, Cortone): this drug belongs to the category of cortisone and is recommended in case of mumps associated with orchitis. Cortisone is available in 25 mg tablets: the dosage and timing of intake must be indicated by the doctor, and vary from person to person based on the severity of the complication.
- Hydrocortisone (eg Locoidon, Colifoam) is also administered as a powerful anti-inflammatory in case of complications from mumps; it should be taken at a dosage of 15-240 mg / day, depending on the severity of the complications.
In case of mumps, it is advisable to take plenty of fluids and food, even if there is no appetite. Furthermore, in the context of mumps, it is recommended to apply ice packs (cryotherapy) or warm bags directly to the neck to the patient to speed up healing.
