Kerala is reportedly witnessing a massive number of mums cases, with the state seeing a single-day spike of 190 cases on March 10. Data from the health department states that a total of 2,505 cases of the viral infection have been recorded this month in Kerala. Most of the cases have been recorded in the Malappuram district and other northern parts of Kerala.

While there are vaccines for mums, it is not a part of the government's immunisation scheme. However, children can get themselves vaccinated with the mumps-measles-rubella (MMR) vaccine for all three diseases at private hospitals.

Mums Cause

Mums infection is caused by the paramyxovirus virus which mostly affects the salivary glands and causes swelling and pain.

Mums Symptoms

- Moderate to high fever

- Ear aches

- Pain in muscles

- Fatigue

- Loss of appetite

- Moderate to high fever

Mumps' Treatment

There's no specific treatment for the disease, however, it tends to go away naturally over a period of a few weeks. Those suffering from the disease are advised to drink lots of fluids, gargle with warm salt water, and eat soft, non-acidic foods that can be digested easily.

For children, they should get the vaccine for the prevention of the disease. The adults should get the booster dose to be immune to the disease.

The mumps usually goes away on its own, but in a few rare instances, it can cause painful testicular inflammation in adult males, hearing loss, and brain swelling.