Mumps (epidemic parotitis) in Children
- BENSON A.R
Mumps is an infectious disease characterized by inflammation of the parotid glands. These glands secrete saliva and are located on either side of the neck under the jaw. The germ causing this disease has not yet been discovered.
At the beginning there is usually slight chilliness, headache and slight rise of temperature (99° - 100°), with stiffness, and soreness of the neck on one or both sides. There is also tenderness, and pain in this region when sour things are tasted. The neck becomes swollen; it is smooth and hard, and tender to the touch. The swelling extends backwards so that the ear occupies about the center of the enlarged part. Both sides may be affected at the same time, or the disease may come on one side and later extend to the other. Its duration is from four to ten days.
Nursing : The disease is not a serious one if uncomplicated, but great care should be taken to prevent the child from taking cold, or undue exercise. During the acute stage, the child should be kept in bed and dry heat applied freely to the neck.
As it is difficult for the child to swallow, it is best to take only a liquid diet, and avoid especially articles which are sour or sweet.
Hot olive may be rubbed gently on the neck, night and morning, if this rubbing does not cause discomfort. Such rubbing will hasten convalescence when the acute stage is over.
Infection in mumps is probably carried by the saliva, and great care should be taken to avoid kissing the child or coming in contact with the saliva. The patient should be isolated the same as in other contagious diseases.
The only serious complication is orchitis (inflammation of the testicle), which sometimes occurs in males, or mastitis (inflammation of the breasts) in females. It is best avoided by care as to taking cold, and by complete rest for the patient until the parotid glands become normal.
Aconite should be given, a teaspoonful every hour, for the general symptoms which arise when the glands become inflamed.
Belladonna is indicated in the later stages where the swelling is hard and tender to the touch.
 |
| Mumps |
At the beginning there is usually slight chilliness, headache and slight rise of temperature (99° - 100°), with stiffness, and soreness of the neck on one or both sides. There is also tenderness, and pain in this region when sour things are tasted. The neck becomes swollen; it is smooth and hard, and tender to the touch. The swelling extends backwards so that the ear occupies about the center of the enlarged part. Both sides may be affected at the same time, or the disease may come on one side and later extend to the other. Its duration is from four to ten days.
Nursing : The disease is not a serious one if uncomplicated, but great care should be taken to prevent the child from taking cold, or undue exercise. During the acute stage, the child should be kept in bed and dry heat applied freely to the neck.
As it is difficult for the child to swallow, it is best to take only a liquid diet, and avoid especially articles which are sour or sweet.
Hot olive may be rubbed gently on the neck, night and morning, if this rubbing does not cause discomfort. Such rubbing will hasten convalescence when the acute stage is over.
Infection in mumps is probably carried by the saliva, and great care should be taken to avoid kissing the child or coming in contact with the saliva. The patient should be isolated the same as in other contagious diseases.
The only serious complication is orchitis (inflammation of the testicle), which sometimes occurs in males, or mastitis (inflammation of the breasts) in females. It is best avoided by care as to taking cold, and by complete rest for the patient until the parotid glands become normal.
Aconite should be given, a teaspoonful every hour, for the general symptoms which arise when the glands become inflamed.
Belladonna is indicated in the later stages where the swelling is hard and tender to the touch.
Comments
Post a Comment
PLEASE WRITE YOUR SYMPTOMS HERE TO GET SUGGESTION.