Mumps is a general illness that can happen to anyone who is exposed to the infection. Mumps is an illness caused by a virus, it usually affects the parotid gland; the glands that produce saliva which is located on each side of the face. Mumps is not common in the United States because of vaccines but there are outbreaks, vaccinated people who are infected with the illness tend to have fewer complications and mild symptoms but people who are not vaccinated tend to have a high risk of the illness. The virus dwells in the saliva when an infected person coughs or sneezes, a tiny particle of the virus is deposited in the air, one can get infected by breathing in tiny droplets of the virus, and you can also get infected by touching the surface in which the tiny particles landed on, in addition, you can be infected by sharing water bottles or kissing.

What are the symptoms of mumps?

Mumps has general symptoms and also complicated symptoms, the complicated symptoms will occur when mumps is left untreated affecting other parts of the body. The symptoms of mumps show up after 2-3 weeks of exposure to the illness. Some people have no symptoms or very mild symptoms. general symptoms of mumps are:

• Swelling of the salivary glands arises in a few days.
• Fever.
• Headache.
• Difficulty in eating.
• Muscle pain.
• Fatigue.
• Pains around the swelling.

How can mumps be treated?

When it is discovered, it is advisable to go to the clinic for proper treatment of the illness.