KABUL (Pajhwok): Doctors have reported an increase in cases of mumps at hospitals and clinics in the capital Kabul, warning that the contagious viral disease can cause inflammation of the pancreas, the membranes surrounding the brain and the ovaries if it is not diagnosed and managed in a timely manner.
They advise patients to avoid contact with others and visit health centres for proper diagnosis and care.
According to doctors, mumps is a contagious viral disease that mainly affects the salivary glands, particularly the parotid glands, and occurs in both children and adults. Fever, headache, loss of appetite, weakness, chills and swelling of the salivary glands around the ears are among its symptoms.
Dozens of mumps cases registered at two Kabul hospitals
Dr. Khair Sahak, director of the Indira Gandhi Children’s Hospital in Kabul, told Pajhwok Afghan News that 50 confirmed cases of mumps had been registered at the hospital since the beginning of the current solar year, compared with 25 cases throughout the previous year.
Similarly, Dr. Basir Shahab, director of the Ataturk National Children’s Hospital, said eight confirmed cases had been registered there since the beginning of the current year, compared with 15 cases throughout the previous year.
The doctors said some people suffering from mumps did not visit doctors and instead resorted to self-medication or sought treatment from mullahs, who performed traditional prayers and rituals.
Meanwhile, Dr. Noorul Haq Yousafzai said that, of the 40 patients visiting his clinic daily, three were suffering from mumps.
“I am certain that most families do not take children with mild symptoms to doctors or hospitals. Otherwise, the number of cases has increased considerably,” he added.
Doctors warn of possible complications of mumps
Professor Dr. Mohammad Arif Hassanzai, head of the Internal Medicine Department at the Indira Gandhi Children’s Health Institute, said mumps was a contagious viral disease that mainly affected the salivary glands, particularly the parotid glands, and occurred in both children and adults.
He said fever, headache, loss of appetite, weakness, chills and swelling of the salivary glands around the ears were among the symptoms. Patients might experience increased pain when chewing food or eating sour foods.
Hassanzai added that the disease usually subsided within five to seven days, but in some cases it could cause inflammation of the pancreas, the membranes surrounding the brain and the ovaries.
Emphasising the importance of timely diagnosis, he said that, based on his observations at Indira Gandhi Children’s Hospital, some patients visited health centres late, whereas timely medical attention could help with the diagnosis and better management of possible complications.
According to Hassanzai, the disease was more common among children and adolescents, but adults could also contract it.
Treatment, prevention of mumps
Dr. Faridullah Omari, a trainer and infectious disease specialist at the National Infectious Diseases Hospital, said treatment for mumps was mainly supportive and there was usually no specific antiviral treatment for the disease.
He said rest, drinking sufficient fluids and taking appropriate medicines to reduce fever and pain were among the recommended care measures for patients.
He identified observing hygiene, limiting contact between infected people and others, and using separate personal items as important measures to reduce the risk of transmission.
Meanwhile, Dr. Noorul Haq Yousafzai, a paediatric internal medicine specialist at Kabul’s Ataturk Hospital, advised that if a family member contracted mumps, the patient should be kept separate from other healthy family members, particularly children, to prevent the disease from spreading.
He also recommended keeping infected children away from school and crowded gatherings.
He stressed that providing proper nutrition and care for patients was also important for recovery.
Referring to the importance of a mumps vaccine, he added: “I think it would be very good if the mumps vaccine were included in Afghanistan’s vaccination programme.”
Patients’ accounts
Poya Zarif, a resident of the Darul Aman area of Kabul who visited the National Infectious Diseases Hospital, said he had sought medical attention because of fever and severe pain in his head and face.
Meanwhile, Shafiullah, originally from Baghlan province, whose son is admitted to Indira Gandhi Children’s Hospital, said his child had developed a high fever, throat swelling and headache after contracting mumps and was having difficulty eating.
According to doctors, the child’s illness was accompanied by inflammation around the ear, which was why he had been admitted to hospital.
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