7 Parts of the body affected by mumps

Mumps

Mumps is a disease caused by a virus that usually affects children aged 5–14 that’s easily preventable by a vaccine.The condition primarily affects the parotid glands and It can make these glands swollen and painful. These glands are responsible for producing saliva are found toward the back of each cheek, in the area between the ear and jaw. If you are not immune, you can contract mumps by breathing in saliva droplets of an infected person who has just sneezed or coughed. You can also contract mumps from sharing utensils or cups with someone who has mumps.

Signs and symptoms

  • swelling of one or both of the parotid glands in front of the ear and crossing into the corner of the jaw
  • cough or runny nose.
  • headache and muscle ache
  • low-grade fever
  • abdominal (tummy) pain and loss of appetite
  • pain while chewing or swallowing

Complications

These are rare, but can be serious if left untreated.They involve inflammation and swelling in some part of the body, such as:

1. Testicles

mumps

This condition, known as orchitis, causes one or both testicles to swell in males who’ve reached puberty. Orchitis is painful, but it rarely leads to sterility — the inability to father a child.

2. Pancreas

mumps

The signs and symptoms of this condition, known as pancreatitis, include pain in the upper abdomen, nausea and vomiting. Mumps-induced pancreatitis is a temporary condition.

3. Ovaries and breasts

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Females who’ve reached puberty may have inflammation in the ovaries (oophoritis) or breasts (mastitis). Fertility is rarely affected. However, if a woman contracts mumps during pregnancy, she has a higher-than-normal risk of experiencing a miscarriage.

4. Brain

mumps

A viral infection, such as mumps, can lead to inflammation of the brain (encephalitis). Encephalitis can lead to neurological problems and become life-threatening.

5. Membranes and fluid around the brain and spinal cord

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This condition, known as meningitis, can occur if the mumps virus spreads through your bloodstream to infect your central nervous system.

6. Ears

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Although rare, the mumps virus may also lead to permanent hearing loss. The virus damages the cochlea, one of the structures in your inner ear that facilitates hearing.

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