Reports of infectious parotitis among the Chisinau residents are alarmingly increasing. At present, the number of infected persons approaches 300. According to the Emergency Service, all the hospital wards specialised in infectious diseases for grown-ups and children, as well as the ward opened in the hospital no.4 are overcrowded. In such circumstances, the healthcare authorities are considering the possibility of opening a new ward for mumps infected persons at the hospital formerly known as “Constructorul”. Family doctor Olga Severin describes mumps as being a contagious viral infection with symptoms similar to those of influenza, which include painful swelling of saliva glands on one or both sides of the face, pain when chewing or swallowing, fever, weakness and fatigue, lack of appetite and vomiting. The symptoms develop when the virus multiplies and spreads over the brain and its membranes, in the saliva glands, pancreas, testicles, ovaries and other parts of the body. Infected persons can spread the virus in at most nine days after the first symptoms appear. The developments are in most of the cases benign and the illness recedes within 10 days. Speaking of the treatment, doctor Olga Severin said it is necessary to seek medical advice when the first symptoms appear. If one chooses non-traditional methods, it is recommended to put ice or a warm bandage in the region of saliva glands. Mumps patients are advised to eat ice-cream, and easily chewing food, but avoid sour food and beverages. The risks of this illness are that mumps can lead to complications such as swollen ovaries and breasts in women and swollen testicles in men. Rarely, the illness can cause meningitis, spontaneous abortion, infertility and deafness. On Tuesday, 22 January, 40 Chisinau residents were admitted to hospital with mumps. Countrywide, the number of infected persons rose to roughly 2,000. The most affected territories are Chisinau city, the towns of Orhei, Straseni, Nisporeni, Ialoveni, Cahul, Comrat, Ungheni, Telenesti, Hancesti, Anenii Noi, Rezina and Floresti.