Mumps

Mostly impacting the salivary glands, mumps is a contagious viral infection brought on by the mumps virus (MuV). It is quite transmissible depending on respiratory droplets, direct touch, or contaminated surfaces. The incubation period is 12 to 25 days; symptoms start to show progressively.
The most distinctive sign is painful parotid gland swelling near the jaw, which causes chewing and swallowing trouble. Additional complaints include fever, headache, muscle soreness, tiredness, and appetite loss. Sometimes mumps can lead to problems including meningitis, encephalitis, pancreatitis, or hearing loss. In men, orchitis—inflammation of the testicles—may strike, perhaps causing infertility.
Though supportive care including fluids, pain management, and relaxation can help control symptoms, there is no particular treatment for mumps. Given in two doses throughout childhood, the MMR vaccination—measles, mumps, and rubella—is the most successful preventive measure.
Though mass vaccination has helped to reduce mumps infections, outbreaks sometimes arise, particularly in packed settings like colleges and universities. Preventing the mumps from spreading and safeguarding public health depends critically on high immunisation coverage, hygienic practices, and the isolation of sick people.