Posted: 6/29/2005 9:06:57 AM EDT
|
Whats the chance I actually have mumps? The top of my throat and the bottom of my mouth are real sore and had been since Sunday night, but only on the left side, it looks like my cheek is swollen up right under my ear, I think I have a slight feaver, my stomach is queasy, and I have either been sleeping or trying to stay awake for the last couple days. According to what I can find on Google, though mumps are rare now in this country, and if you think you have mumps, it's probably something else. However, I'm 46, never had mumps, never been vaccinated, and get breathed on by people from Mexico every day. |
Already am, and for damn sure wouldn't want any kids now, anyway so thats not a worry at all. I just don't want to infect anyone else, although I've been at work all week. I've been sick since Sunday afternoon, but it just hit me this morning what if sounded like I had. |
|
Mumps are virtually never unilateral. If you have tender swelling in the region below and in front of the ear, down to the angle of the jaw, you may have an infectious parotitis, can be treated in most cases with antibiotics. Gently press on the swelling while looking inside the mouth at the cheek right by the upper back teeth. If you see any discharge or pus you have a parotid salivary gland infection. If it gets bigger when you eat, you may have a blockage of the gland or duct. An oral and maxillofacial surgeon, or otolaryngologist (ENT) can easily diagnose and treat this problem. |
This does not seem to be my problem but after trying to eat some home grown tomato for lunch, and having the side of my throat thats sore set on fire I found this little gem on Google refering to mumps- "The old diagnositic test was to have the patient suck a lemon (to stimulate saliva), whereupon the patient cried "OUCH" because it hurt - confirming the diagnosis." and this "The pain is especially intense when tasting sour liquids (lemon juice and vinegar have provoked many a muffled scream. " |
Any saliva stimulating item will cause pain with almost any inflammation of the parotid gland, not just mumps. The parotid gland is an encapsulated gland, and when inflammed and stimulated, it will hurt like a bastard. The fact that you have a sore throat also points towards a non-mumps cause. The reason you found that OLD gem on google, is because for most of history, any parotid swelling was generically called "mumps". Now we know better. Still, in any event, they tend to require intervention, so methinks you will need to seek care. If you are not allergic to penicillin, the drug of choice is Augmentin, if you are allergic to pcn, clindamycin is excellent. go to the doc |