Epidemic parotitis in children

Epidemic parotitis in children (in the common people "mumps") is an acute infectious disease of the viral etiology with a predominant lesion of parotid as well as salivary glands. Often, the pathological process extends to the nervous system and sex glands. Etiology

The causative agent of this disease is a virus that is resistant to low temperatures. It penetrates into the body and is localized in the salivary glands (may not cause their inflammation). Along with particles of saliva, the pathogen can get into the air. Therefore, the main source of infection is the patient himself, and he poses a threat of infection for others throughout the period of the disease (even when it is hidden, without obvious signs). It is easy to get infected with "mumps" from virus carriers, who themselves do not suspect that they are the source of transmission of infection. Its causative agent perishes at high temperatures, sunlight, and also under the influence of means of disinfection.

Parotitis in children

The most vulnerable to mumps are children, mostly boys, although adults can get sick if they do not suffer the "mumps" in childhood. This ailment forms a reliable immunity in a person. Newborns and toddlers of the first years of life suffer from a "mumps" relatively rarely. They are protected by immunity, acquired in the womb of the mother, if she had suffered the disease in her time. Parotitis in children is usually observed in the age range of 5-16 years, and then the risk of getting an infection decreases. With "mumps" it is also possible to increase the activity of other microbes that can provoke other inflammatory processes in the child's body.

Symptomatics

Parotitis in children is a disease, the first symptoms of which appear 10-20 days after infection. As a rule, it is a headache, lethargy and general malaise. The patient is in a fever. The temperature often rises to more than 38 degrees (sometimes up to 40). Often there is vomiting. First, the tissues of the organ affected by the pathogen become inflamed and then swell. If it's the testicles or salivary glands, then, as a rule, the swelling first appears on one side, and after a while (no more than 3-4 days) on the other. The larger its size, the stronger the pain, and the more pronounced the phenomena of intoxication, which is characterized by a high degree of severity. There is a characteristic symptom, which with a high probability indicates parotitis in children and adults. One or both ears protrude slightly due to swelling of the parotid glands.

Parotitis in children: treatment

"Pig" is a dangerous disease that can give serious complications (on the brain, on testicles in boys, etc.). Therefore, if there are suspicions, it is not necessary to engage in independent treatment of the child. Epid. Parotitis in children should be diagnosed by doctors and prescribe the necessary drugs. If the doctor witnessed the "mumps" and prescribed treatment at home, then it is necessary to take the patient to a separate room, which must be ventilated twice a day and do wet cleaning with disinfectants.