Mumps is a mild infection which affect the salivary glands and it’s known to affect especially the children. Mumps affect us through a painful swelling in one cheek or even both. The name of this disease is derived from the words “lumps” or “bumps”. Mumps is caused by a virus which makes the salivary glands to swell. This glandes are located in front or below each ear and are called the “parotid glands” This virus can be contracted by direct contact with the secretions, which an infected person throws when sneezes or cough. Even if the disease affect mostly child there are adult cases too, and then the infection is more severe. This virus is attacking especially in late winter or early spring and its targets are the children between 5 and 14 years old. The bigger number of cases is in March and affect the unvaccinated children. If the infected person is an adult then this infection could lead to complications but in the chances are slim.

Mumps is caused by a virus called Paramyxovirus which use the saliva secretion to spread itself and anyone who comes in direct contact with this infected saliva will get the disease. Children between 2-12 years old are mostly affected but not only. This disease deals with the parotid glands but not only the studies revealed the other organs like the prostate, the pancreas, the breasts, etc. are involved. After coming in contact with the disease there will be period without any symptoms called “incubation period” which usually last three weeks.

The symptoms are easy spotted and the first one which occurs is the salivary glands swelling. When is comes to adults the fever and a ill sensation is the fist symptom. This swelling is highly uncomfortable and painful and if the infection occurs at puberty the genitals can be affected leading even to sterility.

At this moment there isn’t any treatment to this infection. An affected person ca use heat or ice packs and Tylenol to deal with he pain. Don’t use aspirin because you’ll trigger the Reye’s syndrome.