Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Cells, Microbes & Viruses => Topic started by: Mamoratehi on 02/08/2010 16:30:02

Title: What is mumps?
Post by: Mamoratehi on 02/08/2010 16:30:02

Mamoratehi asked the Naked Scientists:
   
Hi
 
Last year the doctor said my 2yrs old had mumps, this year it is the same story and said she also has a sore throat.

We were given Panadol and penicillin (these were the same medication dispatched to us last year).

What is the cause for mumps and sore throats in infants; or is there an underlying sickness that the doctors cannot see without running tests?


Regards,
 
Curious mom 

What do you think?

Title: What is mumps?
Post by: RD on 02/08/2010 15:06:37

Mumps is caused by a specific virus … http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mumps_virus

Sore throat can be caused by bacterial or viral infection …
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pharyngitis
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tonsilitis


 [ Invalid Attachment ]
http://www.patient.co.uk/doctor/Blind-Treatment-of-Bacterial-Infection.htm

Quote

Antibiotics [like penicillin] only work for bacteria and do not affect viruses.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infection#Treatment

Title: What is mumps?
Post by: Bored chemist on 02/08/2010 20:56:16

I'm fairly sure that you can only get mumps once.
The reason kids get diseases like this is mainly because their immune system hasn't met these bacteria or viruses before. It needs to learn how to deal with them so that they don't cause infection again.