At least 120 children in Uttara Kannada suffering in Mumps

KARWAR: With the change in weather, the health of children is also being affected. Viral infections through water and air are now troubling people.

At least 120 children in Uttara Kannada district have been suffering from Mumps, a contagious disease that mainly affects children.

Symptoms:

The patient first experiences pain in the throat, followed by muscle pain and swelling in the affected area —face and swelling of the salivary glands, usually in the cheek and jaw area. Fever, cough, fatigue, tiredness, appetite loss and headache also occur.

Precautions:

There is no immediate cure for this infection. Therefore, the infected person should be isolated.

When the infected person coughs or sneezing, they should maintain a distance. Parents should ensure that their children avoid contact with the infected person.

Mumps is more common in children aged one to 16 years. It is less common in adults.The viral infection broke out in Kerala in March this year, affecting more than 15,000 people and causing panic.

According to Dr Rajesh Billava, if children are given vaccines and boosters, they can avoid this disease. This vaccine is administered to children when they are 9 months old.

Due to the change in weather, epidemic diseases are also on the rise. Therefore, it is essential to stay away from such patients. This disease affects the patient for at least 15 days. Hence, it is advisable to stay away from the affected person and maintain caution, medical experts suggested.