Treatment for infectious parotitis, a disease also known as mumps, is directed at reducing symptoms, as there are no specific medications for the elimination of the virus that causes the disease.
The patient should be kept at rest throughout the duration of the infection and avoid any physical exertion. Analgesics and antipyretics such as paracetamol reduce the discomfort caused by the disease, hot water compresses can also be used for the reduction of pain.
Foods taken by the individual should be pasty or liquid, as they are easier to swallow, and good oral hygiene should be done so that possible bacterial infections do not occur, causing complications in infectious parotitis.
How to prevent
One way to prevent infectious parotid disease is through the viral triple vaccine, where the first dose is given in the first year of life and the second dose is between 4 and 6 years of age. Women who have not been immunized should take the vaccine before becoming pregnant, as infectious parotiditis can cause miscarriage.
It is important to note that throughout the infection period, the sick individual should keep distance from all those who are not immune to the disease as it is highly contagious.
What is Infectious Parotiditis
Infectious parotitis, also known as mumps or mumps, is an infectious, highly contagious disease caused by a virus in the Paramyxoviridae family .
The mumps causes swelling in the cheeks which is actually the swelling of the salivary glands. Transmission of infectious parotiditis can be by air (coughs and sneezing) or by contact with contaminated objects.
In addition to reaching the salivary glands, infectious parotiditis can reach other organs such as the testicles and ovaries.
Infectious parotiditis can affect individuals of all ages, but children 5 to 15 years of age are usually the most affected and should receive appropriate treatment.
Symptoms of Infectious Parotiditis
The main symptoms are:
- Swelling of the glands of the neck;
- Pain in the parotid glands;
- Fever;
- Pain when swallowing;
- Inflammation of the testicles and ovaries;
- Headache;
- Abdominal pain (when it reaches the ovaries);
- Vomiting;
- Stiff neck;
- Muscle aches;
- Chills;
There may be complications when organs affected by the virus are affected more deeply, in some cases meningitis, pancreatitis, kidney disorders and eye disorders may develop.
The diagnosis of infectious parotiditis is made through the clinical observation of the symptoms. Laboratory tests are usually not necessary, but in cases of uncertainty saliva or blood tests detect the presence of the virus that causes infectious parotiditis in the individual.
