A small school inside the hospital
17 December, 2019
Zaragoza opens its doors to young scientists who want to return and develop their career in Aragon
17 December, 2019
So far this year, 560 cases of parotitis (mumps) have been registered in Aragon, double what Public Health expected and the highest figure reached in the last decade.
So far this year, 560 cases of parotitis (mumps) have been registered in Aragon, double what Public Health expected and the highest figure reached in the last decade. It is not a common disease, but it is interesting that you know it a little better.
Better known as 'mumps', it is an acute infectious-contagious disease characterized mainly by inflammation of the salivary glands, especially the parotid glands, which are near the ears. Previously it affected children between 5 and 14 years old, but the age of onset has moved towards adolescence and/or among young adults. And, despite the vaccine, cases continue to appear (although many fewer and less serious), possibly due to failures in its administration.
It is thought that it may be due to a decrease in immunity and even a modification in the viruses that cause the paramyxovirus genus.
The disease is transmitted from person to person through the mouth. Once contact has occurred, inflammation of the parotids usually appears between one and seven days later. And the only effective measure is systematic vaccination during childhood. The criteria for the declaration of the disease are: fever and, in addition, at least two of the following signs: sudden onset and inflammation of the parotid glands; orchitis (inflammation of the testicles, which can appear in 25-50% of cases) and meningitis. Symptoms are usually: fever, headache, general malaise, anorexia and abdominal pain. The symptoms can only be treated with antipyretics, analgesics-anti-inflammatories and rest, and antibiotics are not recommended, except in cases of bacterial complications.
