Dr. Tarun Sahani, Senior Consultant in Internal Medicine at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, warns of a concerning uptick in mumps cases in Delhi, particularly affecting children and young adults. Data from the Centre’s Health Ministry reveals a staggering 15,637 reported cases of mumps nationwide from January to March 2024.
The surge isn’t confined to Delhi alone; Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Tamil Nadu are also witnessing significant spikes in mumps cases, as per media reports.
Dr. Sahani explains that mumps typically manifests with swelling of the salivary gland, accompanied by other common viral infection symptoms such as high fever, chills, shivering, and a runny nose. In some cases, individuals may experience testicular pain or discomfort.
Transmission occurs through sneezing, coughing, and physical contact with infected individuals, highlighting the importance of practicing good hygiene and preventive measures.
Treatment primarily focuses on managing symptoms with antiviral medication, along with supportive measures like adequate hydration, bed rest, and a liquid/semi-solid diet. It’s crucial to isolate oneself if in contact with an infected person and maintain proper hygiene practices, including regular handwashing and covering the mouth while coughing or sneezing.
While vaccination offers protection against mumps, the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine remains underutilized, not yet integrated into the national immunization program. Dr. Sahani stresses the importance of immunization in preventing mumps outbreaks and advocates for greater awareness and accessibility to vaccines.
