What are the main treatment principles for mumps?
Okay, let's talk about mumps treatment in plain language.
Getting mumps is actually like catching a severe cold. It's caused by a virus, and currently, there's no specific medicine that can "kill" this virus. So, the core treatment philosophy isn't to "attack the virus," but rather to "make the body comfortable enough to wear out the virus."
Just remember a few key points:
1. Isolate! Rest!
- Isolation is essential: This disease is highly contagious, primarily spread through saliva droplets. After you get it, you can transmit it to others from a few days before your cheeks swell until after the swelling subsides. So, don't go to school or work, and avoid close contact with family members. It's best to stay in your own room. This is being responsible towards others.
- Rest is the best medicine for yourself: Your body needs to focus all its energy on fighting the virus, so don't overexert it. Lie down or sit comfortably, read a book, play on your phone, and let your immune system do its work.
2. Manage Symptoms to Feel Better
The most uncomfortable symptoms of mumps are fever and swollen, painful cheeks. Our goal is to alleviate these discomforts.
- Fever, headache: If your temperature exceeds 38.5℃, or if you have a severe headache, you can take antipyretics like ibuprofen or acetaminophen (paracetamol). Both of these medications also relieve pain.
- Cheek pain:
- Cold or hot compress: Apply a cold compress (ice pack wrapped in a towel) to reduce swelling and pain. Some people find hot compresses more comfortable; you can try which one works better for you.
- Take pain relievers: The antipyretics mentioned above are also effective.
3. Watch What You Eat, Eat the Right Things
Because your cheeks are swollen, chewing and swallowing are difficult, and eating the wrong things can worsen the pain.
- Eat soft, liquid foods: Have porridge, soup, soft noodles, steamed egg custard, etc., which don't require much chewing.
- Absolutely avoid sour foods: Sour things like lemons, hawthorn, and vinegar stimulate saliva gland secretion, making your cheeks hurt even more! This is a big no-no.
- Avoid hard or spicy foods: The same principle applies; avoid irritation and difficulty.
4. Drink Plenty of Water
Fever causes rapid fluid loss from your body. Drinking plenty of water (plain water or light broth are fine) can help cool you down and promote metabolism, helping your body excrete some of the "waste" produced by the virus.
5. Observe Closely, Watch Out for "Bad Neighbors" (Complications)
The mumps virus can sometimes be mischievous. Besides attacking the parotid glands, it might cause trouble elsewhere, which are called "complications." This is the most crucial point to be vigilant about throughout the treatment process!
- For boys/adult males: If you suddenly experience testicular pain, redness, or swelling, go to the hospital immediately. This could be a complication of orchitis, and if not treated promptly, it might affect fertility.
- For everyone: If you experience severe headache, stiff neck, or nausea, see a doctor immediately. This could be a complication of meningitis.
- Other: If you experience severe abdominal pain, it could be pancreatitis.
To summarize:
Mumps treatment is essentially a "logistical support" job. Your role is to isolate and rest at home, use cold/hot compresses and pain relievers to make yourself more comfortable, eat soft foods, drink plenty of water, and then closely watch for any of the warning signs mentioned above. If you do these things well, your immune system can confidently win this battle. Typically, in one to two weeks, the swelling will subside, and you'll recover.