Early symptoms of mumps

The early symptoms of mumps mainly include fever, muscle aches, stomach cold and loss of appetite, etc. These symptoms are often mistaken for the common cold, but in fact they are the precursors of mumps.

1. Fever and general discomfort: One of the early symptoms of mumps is fever, which is usually accompanied by muscle aches all over the body. This feeling is like you have just done a high-intensity exercise, and all parts of the body are sore in protest. At the same time, the feeling of stomach cold can also make people feel uncomfortable, as if the body is fighting against the temperature.

2. Digestive system symptoms: Loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting are also common early symptoms of mumps. These symptoms may make you feel disgusted at the sight of food, and even the smell of food may cause discomfort. At this time, the body is reminding you that it needs rest and recovery.

3. Swollen parotid glands: After a few hours or days, the parotid glands will begin to swell. Initially, only one side may swell, but the other side will soon be affected. The swollen parotid gland is centered on the earlobe, has a diamond-shaped appearance, and feels hard to the touch. When the gland is swollen, the patient will feel bloated and painful, especially when opening the mouth to chew or eat acidic foods, the pain will be aggravated. In appearance, the skin in the parotid area is tight and shiny, and although there is usually no obvious redness or swelling, it may feel burning when touched.

4. Risk of complications: If mumps is not treated in time, it may cause a series of complications, such as meningitis, orchitis, etc. These complications may lead to more serious health problems, so once symptoms such as parotid swelling and pain occur, it is very important to seek medical attention in time.

5. Self-care suggestions: When these early symptoms appear, in addition to seeking medical attention in a timely manner, you can also take some self-care measures to relieve discomfort. For example, get enough rest, drink enough water to help the body detoxify, and avoid eating irritating foods such as acidic foods to reduce stimulation to the parotid gland.

6. Preventive measures: In order to reduce the risk of contracting mumps, vaccination is one of the most effective means. Mumps vaccine can effectively prevent this viral infection. Maintaining good personal hygiene habits, such as washing hands frequently and avoiding close contact with infected people, can also effectively reduce the risk of infection.

By knowing the early symptoms of mumps and taking appropriate measures, we can better protect the health of ourselves and our families. We hope this information will help you to be more confident when facing mumps.