In which areas does mumps cause pain and swelling?

The article was professionally consulted with Specialist Doctor II Huynh Thi Diem Thuy - Vaccine Consultant - Pediatrics - Neonatology Department, Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital.

Mumps is an infection of the salivary glands caused by a virus called Paramyxovirus. This disease is quite dangerous because if not treated properly, the disease will leave severe sequelae, greatly affecting the quality of life.

The disease is transmitted by inhalation and ingestion, through saliva when an infected person talks, coughs or sneezes. The contagious period is from 6 days to 2 weeks with the following symptoms:
The incubation period lasts from 18-25 days, this stage is completely silent without showing any obvious signs and symptoms.
Entering the onset period with symptoms of fever from 38 - 38.5 degrees Celsius, headache, vomiting, sore throat, body fatigue, loss of appetite.
Full-fledged period: After 24 - 48 hours of fever, parotid gland inflammation begins to appear. At first, swelling on one side, after 1-2 days swelling on the other side (usually swelling on both sides, rarely swelling on one side). The swelling on both sides is usually asymmetrical (the swollen side is large, the swollen side is small), tight, shiny, not red, not concave, hot to the touch, painful to the touch.
Saliva is little, slightly viscous. Jaw pain when opening, chewing or swallowing. Pain spreading to both ears. Throat red and inflamed. Recovery period: The disease usually resolves on its own within 10 days. Fever usually goes away after 3-4 days, salivary gland swelling is gone within 8-10 days.
About one-third of patients with mumps have no symptoms. Sometimes, mumps goes away without knowing it because the parotid gland is not swollen.

Mumps in young children, if not treated promptly and properly, will cause complications with severe damage to the meninges, brain, acute myelitis... Men with mumps may have orchitis, women often inflammation of the ovary.
Orchitis About 20 - 30% of cases occur in boys during puberty. Orchitis appears about 7-10 days after the parotid gland swelling. Most orchitis occurs only on one side with symptoms such as high fever, chills, vomiting, abdominal pain, enlarged and painful testicles. The patient feels pain when the testicle is about to swell, then the testicle is 3-4 times larger than normal. Usually swelling on one side, or swelling on both sides. This condition lasts about 3-7 days, then it subsides, after about 2 months, it will be assessed whether the testicles have atrophy or not. The rate of testicular atrophy due to mumps is 30-40%. If you have bilateral testicular atrophy, the chances of infertility are very high.

Preterm birth or stillbirth Mumps in pregnant women during the first 3 months of pregnancy can cause miscarriage or birth defects. During the third trimester of pregnancy, there is a possibility of premature birth or stillbirth.
Encephalitis - meningoencephalitis This is a common complication in children, accounting for 25% with symptoms such as high fever, headache, vomiting, sometimes convulsions, some cases with paralysis-like manifestations. polio fever. However, the progression of encephalitis - meningitis caused by mumps usually leaves little sequelae.
Acute pancreatitis Acute pancreatitis occurs in about 3-7%, usually in adults, most of them are hidden, only manifest changes through testing. Some possible symptoms are a return of fever, epigastric pain accompanied by common symptoms such as vomiting, abdominal bloating, diarrhea, loss of appetite...
When you have mumps, absolutely do not self-medicate anti-inflammatory because it has no effect on preventing complications. Currently, there is no specific treatment, only symptomatic treatment. For young children with mumps, parents need to take the child to a medical facility immediately for instructions on proper treatment and care to minimize possible complications.
Vinmec International General Hospital is currently providing a Package Immunization Program with a variety of vaccines for different audiences, from infants, young children, women before and during pregnancy. effective prevention of mumps. Particularly in December 2019, Vinmec will give you free newborn Hepatitis B Vaccine (immunization immediately after birth) when you sign up for a Package Immunization Package for children aged 0-1 or 0-2 years old. .