Why do children get mumps?

The causes of mumps in children include the following aspects: 1. The most common cause is viral infection, particularly infection with the mumps virus. This virus spreads through respiratory droplets. After exposure to an infected individual, children may develop the disease following a period of incubation. Viral infection leads to inflammation and swelling of the salivary glands, usually accompanied by symptoms such as fever and headache. 2. Bacterial infection can also cause mumps in children, especially when oral hygiene is poor. This may lead to obstruction of the salivary gland duct and subsequent bacterial infection, resulting in suppurative (pus-forming) parotitis. In such cases, blood tests typically show elevated white blood cell counts, predominantly due to increased neutrophils. 3. Other contributing factors include autoimmune diseases, chronic lymphocytic proliferative disorders, prolonged exposure to radiation or chemical carcinogens, and genetic susceptibility. Once swelling of the salivary glands is noticed in a child, prompt medical evaluation is essential to determine the underlying cause and initiate appropriate treatment.