{"id":8774,"date":"2019-08-02T08:48:20","date_gmt":"2019-08-02T08:48:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/?p=8774"},"modified":"2021-06-18T15:14:27","modified_gmt":"2021-06-18T15:14:27","slug":"14-general-symptoms-of-mumps","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/14-general-symptoms-of-mumps\/","title":{"rendered":"14 General Symptoms of Mumps"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Mumps is a rather unpleasant virus that can affect pretty much anyone at any time. It causes the glands that are placed around your neck, and between your ear you\u2019re your jaw to swell, which is the symptom it is best known for, however there are several other symptoms of mumps which make it a miserable illness to tolerate and one that anyone affected by it will be glad to see the back of. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These affected glands actually make the saliva that helps you to chew and to swallow your food. Mumps is most common in younger children between the ages of 2 to 12 years old who didn\u2019t get the mumps vaccine, which is obviously a controversial subject on its own. You can also get mumps as an adult if you did not get the vaccine as a child. Some people tend to call the virus \u2018the mumps\u2019, but both names refer to the same thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. \tFever<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The first in this list is a mild symptom of mumps, which only usually last up to a month. A fever from mumps <\/a>will more often than not resolve on its own. Resembling any typical fever, an infected person will go through a series of temperature changes, highlighted by their constant complaints of either being too hot or too cold and further evidenced by observations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These observations may include the noticing of a person shivering, or indeed sweating profusely. For infants, young children and impaired adults, watching for the signs are important as the person may not be able to verbally communicate their symptoms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The difference between the mumps related fever and a regular fever is that the fever caused by mumps usually sticks around a little while longer. The fever is responsive to over the counter fever reducers and it is recommended that a person\u2019s temperature is periodically checked and recorded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. \tSwollen glands (especially in the neck)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The second of the mild symptoms associated with mumps, swollen glands, especially those in the neck, can be another common occurrence in people struck down by the infection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Swollen glands can often alarm sufferers and taking to the internet in search of a quick search engine diagnosis is not recommended. This could either leave the researcher completely reassured that everything is fine or coming to terms with the fact that they have just a few precious hours left to live. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Swollen glands are more of an annoyance and a cause of discomfort than anything to be too concerned over when they are caused by mumps. Careful monitoring is necessary, and medical help should be sought if the swellings <\/a>become increasingly painful or start to throb. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whatever you do though, don\u2019t make your mind up that you’ve got cancer-based on a couple of quick internet searches, that would be a mistake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. \tHeadache<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another common symptom regularly experienced by mumps sufferers is headaches <\/a>which are common and frequent amongst sufferers. As you will read later on, serious complications of mumps can affect the brain, but in most cases, headaches are only mild to moderate, responding well to hydration, avoidance of light and over the counter medication. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For many people with mumps, a headache and a slight fever will be the very worst symptoms they ever experience, and for that, they should perhaps be grateful. As previously stated though, a great number of people, the world over, live with mumps day in, day out, completely none the wiser. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whatever the actual cause of a headache, they still cause the person a fair amount of suffering and misery from their onset to their departure, and so sensitivity is encouraged toward anyone complaining of having a bad head. Avoiding triggers such as dehydration and invasive no natural light sources remains a sound bit of advice for anyone with mumps and a headache.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Muscle aches and pains<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Coming towards the end of the milder category of mumps symptoms, we reach the dreaded muscle aches and pains. For many fit and active people, a good bit of muscle pain can signal that they were targeting all the right muscle groups a few days previously. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pains and aches in the muscles <\/a>and joints that come on for no defined reason though are a real pain in the ass, metaphorically and literally. Pain can range from mild to severe and mumps related muscle pain can affect a person anywhere on their body. It varies from person to person. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Due to the likely presence of other mild symptoms such as headaches and fevers, the muscle ache caused by mumps can often be misdiagnosed as an upper respiratory infection. Due to the mild nature of the symptoms, this is not usually a great issue for a patient, however proper identification of what is actually causing the symptoms can speed up a proper cure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. \tSore throat<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The last in a list of five relatively mild mumps symptoms, a sore throat joins headaches, fevers, muscle pain, and swollen glands as things to be concerned about rather than to panic over. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A sore throat can make a person feel really down in the dumps, as it not only robs them of their wellness but oftentimes it steals away their voice. The raspy tones of someone with a sore throat may appeal to a certain demographic of people, but there really isn’t anything attractive about a sore throat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Swollen and inflamed tissues at the back of the throat mimic the feeling of swallowing razor blades, not that too many people have experienced that in real life. Just know that sore throats<\/a> hurt, a lot and that if you have mumps, this is one of the symptoms that you can expect to experience as part of the journey through the illness. Sorry about that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. \tBrain inflammation as a result of mumps<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As mentioned previously, there is a second category when it comes to common symptoms of mumps. For this group of symptoms, the word \u2018common\u2019 only applies once a certain watershed has been breached. For instance, the three symptoms detailed here are common in HIV patients who develop mumps, as their immune systems are already depleted, whereas the symptoms are much less commonly experienced by the general population as a whole. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first of these symptoms, inflammation of the brain can be a very traumatic symptom causing pounding headaches <\/a>to develop. These headaches, which will not respond to usual headache remedies, can be followed by seizures, spells of absence and confusion. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some of the more serious cases of brain inflammation can result in a person going into a coma. If they don\u2019t slip into one naturally, sometimes the decision can be made to medically induce a coma. This is an incredibly serious eventuality, whenever it is reached.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. \tLung infection<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The second of the more severe symptoms associated with mumps is a lung infection. Lung infections can last a very long time and be very difficult to treat. Initially starting out as a long-lasting and troublesome cough, a lung infection may develop rapidly or over a longer period of time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Typically, a fever <\/a>is something that comes hand in hand with a lung infection and one of the implications can be shortness of breath. Given that fevers and coughs are listed in the less severe bracket of mumps related symptoms and conditions, it is especially pertinent for caregivers to monitor these symptoms and keep an eye for them evolving or worsening in some way, as this could be indicative of the mumps moving towards much more worrying symptoms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most of the time, a correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment of early mumps symptoms, will prevent the development of more serious issues like this, but it is also important to bear in mind how one thing can lead to another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. \tEye swelling and reddening<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Given the emotional value we all place on our eyes, as our windows to the world, it can be an especially daunting symptom of mumps when the illness affects one or both of a person\u2019s eyes. The swelling\u2019s more serious incarnation has the potential to cause blurred vision and fairly significant eye pain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pain can usually be treated by home remedies or over the counter medications, but it is the effect on a person\u2019s vision which can have the most damaging effect. When unable to see properly, every part of a person\u2019s life is impacted upon, from the moment they open their eyes in the morning, until they fall asleep at night. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This can result in time off work, mean that a person is unable to drive and can have a huge impact on things like exercise <\/a>or socializing. Without treatment, the blurred or double vision isn\u2019t likely to improve, but acting fast can mean the eye s is cleared up as quickly as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Chills<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Patients who are dealing with the case of the\u00a0mumps may develop a high fever. Along with the increase in temperature, the patient may also experience the onset of chills<\/a>. It’s strange for the patient to develop a sensation of feeling cold when they are running a high fever. These chills occur due to changes in the temperature set point of the body.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the brain notices the infection, it turns up the heat in a natural defense to eliminate the pathogen. It does so by signaling for the production of pyrogen proteins that attached to nerve endings. These pyrogens tell the central nervous system to increase the body temperature set point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It takes some time for the body to catch up to the new temperature set point. As a result, the patient may start to feel cold. However, these sensations of chills will not subside even if the patient covers themselves with blankets and turns on a heater. The chills will eventually dissipate when the body achieves the new temperature setpoint set by the central nervous system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10. Weakness and Fatigue<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The mumps is a severe infection occurring in both adults and children. When the disease starts to take over the body, it results in numerous changes in physiology,\u00a0causing the patient to experience issues like dehydration and mineral imbalance. As a result, the patient may start to feel like they develop symptoms of weakness and fatigue<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The patient may feel tired all the time and want to sleep. Fortunately, rest is the best solution, and the patient should spend as much time in bed resting as possible. They may feel tired to the extent that they don’t want to get out of bed to use the bathroom or make themselves something to eat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Patients dealing with the case of the mumps should have access to a caregiver to help them through the effects of the disease. The symptoms of weakness and fatigue associated with the condition may also take a toll on the patient’s mental state, resulting in cognitive dysfunction and brain fog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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11. Pain While Swallowing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The mumps may cause issues with swallowing food in infected individuals. The disease causes extensive swelling and inflammation of the tissues and ligaments <\/a>around the throat. As a result, it may cause a narrowing of the throat and tension when swallowing food. As a result, the patient may abstain from eating while they are feeling sick. In some cases, the patient may also refrain from drinking as well. This situation may lead to the onset of dehydration, which is a severe complication of the condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Patients can try drinking liquids such as protein shakes and other fortified beverages to help them get the nutrition they need while they are sick. Avoiding eating is not a good idea for patients infected with mumps. A lack of food slows metabolism and weakens the immune system. As a result, the patient will struggle with their recovery, and the disease may hang around for longer than is necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Caregivers should ensure that patients get food throughout the day to keep the body’s energy levels up and the immune system working at peak efficiency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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12. Pancreatitis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Patients who are dealing with the case of the mumps\u00a0are at risk of developing severe adverse health complications related to the\u00a0disease. One of the more severe complications involved is pancreatitis<\/a>. Pancreatitis is a swelling of the pancreas, which is the organ responsible for maintaining and regulating insulin production in the body. When the pancreas becomes dysfunctional, the patient may start to experience issues with their blood sugar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result, the patient may become lightheaded or feel woozy. The patient may also notice that they start to develop pain in the upper abdomen. Doctors will press on this region of the stomach to check for any pain symptoms that may be a sign of pancreatitis. As the condition progresses, the patient may also notice that they start to develop symptoms of nausea and vomiting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Patients who are dealing with the onset of pancreatitis require immediate medical attention. If the pancreas ruptures, it could result in a life-threatening situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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13. Orchitis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Patients who develop mumps are at risk of developing complications related to their condition. One of the severe difficulties experienced by males is the development of pain and swelling in the testicles. This condition is known as orchitis, and it can be a painful and uncomfortable condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Orchitis <\/a>typically only occurs in boys or men that have reached the age of puberty. The onset of the condition can cause extreme pain that emanates from the testicles through to the lower abdomen.\u00a0Physicians treat this condition using a combination of anti-inflammatories to bring down the swelling in the testes, as well as painkillers to treat the symptoms of pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While orchitis is a painful condition, it does not create any symptoms of sterility in the affected individual. Patients who are dealing with the effects of orchitis may feel embarrassed about the condition, but they must notify the doctor about what they are experiencing.
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14. Hearing Loss<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Patients who are dealing with the case of the mumps may experience some form of hearing loss while they are sick. The mumps causes swelling in the lymph nodes<\/a> around the neck, placing pressure on the nerves of the auditory system. The swelling may also start to cause blockages in the eustachian tubes, as well as a mild inner ear infection.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result, the patient may find that they start to experience hearing loss. It’s uncommon for the patient to lose their hearing entirely, but it can happen. In most cases, the symptoms of hearing loss are not permanent, and the patient makes a full recovery after the disease clears from the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Patients who do experience some form of hearing loss should stick to their treatment plan, and advise their doctor on the development of the condition. Your doctor will use anti-inflammatories to reduce the swelling in the neck and free the trapped nerves in the auditory system.<\/p>\n\n\n

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