Is mumps-related deafness hereditary?

Mumps is a disease with an incubation period of less than 20 to 30 days. The disease may occur after eight days, and the average onset time is about 18 days. It is quite urgent when the disease first occurs, and there will be nausea, vomiting, fever, headache, sore throat and other symptoms. Whether mumps is hereditary depends on the problem of onset.

Disease symptoms/mumps

The incubation period ranges from 8 to 30 days, with an average of 18 days. The onset is usually acute, with no prodromal symptoms. Symptoms include fever, chills, headache, sore throat, poor appetite, nausea, vomiting, body pain, etc. The parotid gland is swollen and painful over several hours and gradually becomes obvious. The body temperature can reach above 39°C. Adult patients are generally more serious. Parotid gland swelling is the most characteristic. It is generally centered on the earlobe, extending forward, backward, and downward, in a pear-shaped shape with unclear edges; the local skin is tense, shiny but not red, tough and elastic to the touch, and painful to the touch; speaking and chewing (especially acidic foods) stimulate saliva secretion, causing the pain to worsen; usually swelling of one side will affect the opposite side 1 to 4 days later, and bilateral swelling accounts for about 75% of cases. The submandibular or sublingual glands may also be involved simultaneously. It usually lasts for 7-10 days. One side often swells first for 2-3 days, and then the other side also swells, accompanied by pain and heat. The pain worsens when opening the mouth and chewing. The swelling and pain subsided after about a week. When the parotid gland is swollen, most people have a fever for 3-5 days. When the parotid gland is swollen, strict isolation is necessary. Isolation can only be lifted 3 days after the parotid swelling disappears completely.

In severe cases, the tissues around the parotid glands are severely edematous, causing facial distortion and difficulty in swallowing. There may be redness and swelling at the opening of the parotid duct in the early stage, and no purulent secretions will overflow from the opening when the parotid gland is squeezed. Parotid gland swelling usually reaches its peak in 1 to 3 days, lasts for 4 to 5 days, and then gradually subsides and returns to normal. The whole journey takes about 10 to 14 days. The submandibular and sublingual glands may also be affected simultaneously or individually. Submandibular gland enlargement is manifested by swelling of the jaw in the front of the neck and the swollen gland can be felt. Sublingual gland enlargement can cause swelling of the tongue and floor of the mouth, and difficulty swallowing.

Another complication is orchitis. Its clinical manifestations include lower abdominal pain, testicular swelling, redness, and obvious tenderness.

The above complications are more dangerous than mumps itself. Therefore, parents should not take it lightly even during the recovery period of mumps. You need to observe the condition carefully and go to the hospital in time if you find any problems.