Mumps (Epidemic Parotitis) - Dr. Deoshlok Sharma

Mumps (Epidemic Parotitis)

Def: Mumps of epidemic parotitis is an acute infectiousdisease marked by enlagement of the salivary glands, usually the parotids.

Aetiology: Age-children and young adults. Sex-mostly male. Caused by virus is Present in saliva and spreads by droplets. Common site is paroitid glands, but submandibular glands, testicles, brain, pancreas, ovary also may be affected.

Pathology: The affected parotid glands and the surrounding tissue become hyperaemic and aedematous; some of the acinar cells disintegarate with round cell infiltration but latter, on these heal completely without any scaring.
Clinical Features: Incubation period 2 to 3 weeks.

Symptoms – 1. Fever with chill. 2.Headache, weakness, malaise. 3. Sore throat. 4. Epistaxis. 5. Stiffneck. 6. Pain and swelling in parotid regions 7.Inceased salivation. 8. Inability to open the jaw.

Signs-1. Restricted jaw movement. 2. Tenderness of parotid region and swelling. 3. Tonic spasm of muscles of mastication. 4. Spleen often just palpable. 5. Orifice of Stenson’s dut usually swollen. 6. Temperature present, pulse usually slow.

Complieations: 1. Orchitis. 2. Oophoritis. 3. Myocarditis. 4. Mastitis, 5. Acute pancretitis. 6. Otitis media. 7. Labyrinthitis, 8. Meningitis. 9. Peripheral neuritis. 10. Meningism. 11. Prostatitis. 12. Meningo-encephalitis. 13. Neuritis of II, VII, VIII, and III cranial nerves.

Investigations:-1.Complement fixation test – Positive.
2. Virus may be culture from the saliva.

Treatment: 1. Bed rest, 2. Isolation. 3. Oral hygiene to be maintained. 4. Liquid diet till mastication is painless. 5. Fomentation.6. Drugs.

Belladonna: Redness of face and eyes, Bright-red swelling of glands, esp, on right side. Tendency to erysipelatous inflammation of the parts. Sudden disappearance of swelling, with throbbing headache and delirium.

Hyoscyamus – If the disease be transmitted to brain. Unconscious delirium, red face, wild, staring look, throbbing carotids. Twitching and jerking of limbs, with great nervous excitability, Giddiness, with stuperfaction.

Pulsatilla: In case of metastasis to the mammae. Vertige on rising from siting posture, with chilliness, Thickly-coated tongue, with bad taste in morning, Mild, tearful disposition.

Mercurius: If the disease was induced by a cold, Erethic fever, with alternate heat and chills, Hard swelling of gland, with stiffness of jaws and difficulty of swallowing, Perspiration, affording no relief. Profuse secretion of saliva and very offensive breath, Dark-green os slimy stools with severe tenesmus. All worse at night, and in damp weather.

Biochemic Remedies.

Ferrum phos- Initiatory stage with the febrile symptoms.

Kali mur- Swelling of the parotid gland with pain on swallowing. This remedy alone will cure most cases unless there is fever.

Natrum Mur – With much saliva or swelling of the tetiles occurring as a metstassis with mumps.

Dr. Deoshlok Sharma’s credentials
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