MUMPS, who's got it?

[mesmerize_99]

There is an epidemic of mumps going round. However, I found all sorts of symptoms and people tell all sorts of stories. What are the symptoms and has anyone had it recently? last 6 months.

[secretspirit]

I haven't had it since i was little but all I remember was my face swelling up like a hamster and it was hard to ear. I'm not sure why it's seen as such a terribly illness now although I know it can potentially cause fertility problems in men.

[secretspirit]

I meant hard to *eat*

[ann_h]

My step-son's girlfriend had it last week! They had no idea what it was either.

Symptoms are fever, some tenderness and discomfort, difficulty swallowing and looking like a hamster. It can also affect other glands- underarms and testicles. Symptoms only last about 4 days, but you will have been infectious for several days by then, and will still be infectious for several days after you feel better. Spread just like a cold, coughing sneezing, hand contact. Best to stay in your well-ventilated room and keep fresh tissues, wash hands etc. Generally not too serious an illness, but can cause problems for some people- Babies, pregnant women and young lads (puberty) most at risk.

[morg_monster]

'not serious': similar to rubella/german measles: if a boy gets rubella, no big deal for him, but if he gives it to a teenage girl or pregnant women then it is serious and could be fatal to unborn children.  Mumps isn't seen as so serious now because so few people get it, so the numbers getting a serious reaction of infertility is very small.  If however the doctors decided it wasn't serious enough to warrant a vaccination then being highly contagious it would become widespread again and then it would indeed be a fairly big problem. 

[silly moo]

A lot depends on the age of the patient.
My family had mumps some yrs ago and we all reacted differently.
The 4 yr old was a bit poorly for 2 - 3 days, off colour for another 1 - 2 days, swollen glands and not eating for a couple of days.
The 3 yr old was less poorly .
I was approx 28 yrs old and was ILL. Everytime I tried to eat or drink for 5 days I felt as if someone was sticking red hot pokers in my neck!!!!
I had a very high temp and I slept between taking pain killers.
I also had mumps as a child and was not ill apparently; husband shared a room with brother and mumps as a child, and then shared bed with me and mumps and he has never had it - unfair.
I do hope you are not as ill as I was.

[mesmerize_99]

Well, thank you. It seems we all do react differently. Here's my story. I'm 25 and male.

I got it on thursday 10th March. Swelling on one side then next day to other. Everytime I put something in my mouth it hurt. without chewing. As I've been told this is your saliva glands that are hurting.

I then got a fever and felt like I had flu for a few days.

Swelling went down on the Thursday 17th.

On the friday my left testicle swelled up and I was in a lot of pain. I then developed another fever on the saturday.
Went to see the emergency doctor on the sunday and got sent into hospital.

I had developed a serious viral infection. Blood tests showed mumps. I couldn't walk and suffered internal bleeding in my testicle. I got released 3 days later.

For 3 days more I suffered from fatigue.

I now feel ok. but my girlfriend now has it.

I got told by everyone, Doctors, Consultants and a Professor of Infectious Diseases. The following,
FOR EVERYONES REFERENCE>
nothing can be done for mumps. You have to just let it run it's course. You can take for adults with food, Ibuprofren and Paracetamal (both of them) Ibuprofen is the anti-inflametry and Para' takes away the pain.
NOT to go near pregnant women.
If testicles swell up then seak medical advice. As you need to be monitored.
Orange Juice will hurt, don't drink it.
You will suffer headaches.
Your infectious 10 days before swelling on neck and 10 after it subsides. That's a long time off work.
However, it was the most awful experience ever, I wish it on no one.
Thank you all, maybe this will help anyone who gets it.

Ow and their is an outbreak in the East Midlands at time of going to press.