Health Information

What are MUMPS | Comforters for MUMPS | Herbal Remedy for MUMPS | MUMPS Treatment

Mumps really needs no introduction. Adults can be dreadfully ill but children may suffer no more than if they had a severe bout of tonsillitis. The immediate symptoms are extreme tiredness, a sore throat, swelling at the front of the ear with the area becoming red and shiny (not to be confused with teething in toddlers) and then in the throat, usually one side swelling before the other. After this other glands in the body, particularly the ovaries in women and testicles in men, also swell which can be excruciating.

There is a great deal of ‘ho, ho, ho’ about men catching mumps which is very unfair as it can make them extremely unwell and therefore they should know when they are coming into a household where children have the illness. Once again, contrary to popular belief, it is rare for mumps to cause sterility. Women who are pregnant can also be very ill if they catch the infection, so ensure that you tell all your friends. It is important to keep the patient isolated until you are sure that they are past the infectious point.

Like all these ‘childhood ailments’ mumps has to run its course and all that can be done is to seek professional advice and ensure that you keep the patient comfortable. We have all seen the classic cartoons of a swollen-faced victim with a cloth tied around the jaws, usually finishing up in a bow on top of the head.

The old-fashioned method for bringing relief was to place flannel torn in strips over the swollen glands which probably did give a degree of warmth and protection but although a warm compress of arnica or tincture of calendula or a cloth saturated in warm St John’s worst oil on the most painful area would be quite comforting, most patients prefer to be left alone. They should be thankful that they did not live a century or so ago when they would have had their heads rubbed firmly upon the back of a passing pig so that their illness might be transferred to the unfortunate beast.

Comforters for MUMPS

Warm fomentations or compresses do help to ease the pain and a gentle application of essential oil of lavender or sage in a little sunflower oil rubbed into the neck and throat will certainly help children feel much better. Ensure that they drink plenty of water, fruit and vegetable juices but not orange or lemon juice- grape juice is a good alternative.

It is unlikely that they will feel like eating although nourishing clear soups and fruit sorbets might be tolerated. It is also important to ensure that the patient does not become constipated and thus very uncomfortable.

1. Camomile and marsh mallow tea: Infuse 25g(1oz) of each of these flowers in 300ml( ½ pint) of boiling water. Leave until cool and serve with a pinch of either nutmeg. Cinnamon or ginger and a good spoonful of honey.


 

2. Dandelion or nettle tea: Use 25g(1oz) of either to 600ml(1 pint) or boiling water.