How to treat mumps in a four-year-old boy

Mumps in a four-year-old boy can usually relieve symptoms through active rest, medication and daily care, while preventing complications. Whether to take antiviral drugs or other treatments depends on the condition and doctor's advice.

1. Understand the symptoms and characteristics of mumps

Mumps is a disease caused by the mumps virus, which is mostly an epidemic virus and is mainly transmitted through droplets or contact. Typical symptoms include swollen parotid glands, fever, pain when chewing or swallowing, sometimes accompanied by headaches, muscle aches, and general fatigue. If not treated properly, it may cause complications such as meningitis, orchitis, or oophoritis. Parents need to pay special attention to the condition and take their children to the doctor in time for diagnosis and treatment.

2. Home care measures and prevention

Symptoms can be alleviated to a certain extent through scientific care.

Rest and isolation: Make sure your child gets more bed rest and isolates himself at home until he recovers to prevent infection to others. Generally, the isolation period is at least 9 days.

Dietary adjustment: Avoid acidic and irritating foods. It is recommended to eat easily digestible and soft foods, such as porridge, noodles, steamed eggs, etc., to reduce the burden of chewing.

Local cold compress: Cold compress can be applied to the parotid area that is obviously swollen and painful to relieve discomfort, 10-15 minutes each time, several times a day.

3. Drug treatment options

The treatment of mumps is mainly symptomatic. For details, please refer to the following drug use recommendations:

Antipyretics: such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, used to relieve discomfort caused by fever or pain. The dosage should be based on the doctor's recommendations.

Antiviral drugs: If viral mumps is confirmed, antiviral drugs such as ribavirin may be considered, but the decision to use should be based on the severity of the disease.

Antibiotics: If there are signs of bacterial infection such as suppurative mumps, antibiotics should be used for treatment under the guidance of a doctor.

4. Seek medical attention and prevent complications

If a child has a persistent high fever, severe headache, vomiting or other abnormal conditions, he or she should be taken to the hospital immediately for further examination to rule out the possibility of complications. Vaccination with live attenuated mumps vaccines such as MMR vaccines is an effective means of preventing this disease. It is recommended to be vaccinated in a timely manner according to the national immunization plan.

Although mumps is a common childhood disease, it should not be ignored. Parents should provide good home care and strictly follow the doctor's recommended medication and care methods to help their children recover as soon as possible and reduce adverse consequences.