Recognizing the Mumps Disease in Children

Recently, many children have contracted mumps. Mumps or parotitis is an infectious disease that causes fever and swelling of the salivary glands in the mouth or near the ears. Mumps is caused by a paramyxovirus infection that attacks the glands that produce saliva. The disease is transmitted through droplets of saliva, coughing, or sneezing.

Reporting from Siloam Hospital, this disease often affects children aged 2 – 14 years. children under 2 years old, especially under 1 year old are generally rarely infected with the disease. This is probably because children aged less than 2 years have good antibodies from their mothers.

Symptoms of mumps in children usually appear 12-24 days after infection. During this time, mumps can cause symptoms such as fever, chills, headache, and decreased appetite. Then, within 12-24 hours after the initial symptoms of mumps appear, the salivary glands will swell which can last for 5-7 days.

Mumps can actually heal on its own without treatment. There is no specific cure for this disease, but there are a number of treatment methods that can be done to alleviate symptoms and prevent the risk of complications such as giving paracetamol as prescribed by the doctor can relieve pain and fever, getting enough rest, fulfilling the daily needs of body fluids, and eating soft foods so that they are easy to chew and do not aggravate the pain.

According to the Indonesian Paediatric Association (IDAI), the best way to prevent mumps is by giving the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. In addition, teach children to maintain hygiene, avoid close contact with sufferers, and use a mask when around sufferers to prevent airborne transmission. Be aware of the child’s health condition and immediately consult a health facility if there are suspicious symptoms.