Mumps

Number of Mumps cases in Wichita County for 2017 as of 5/24/17: 6

Signs and Symptoms:
Mumps is best known for the puffy cheeks and swollen jaw that it causes. This is a result of swollen salivary glands.
 
The most common symptoms include:

• Fever
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Tiredness
• Loss of appetite
• Swollen and tender salivary glands under the ears on one or both sides (parotitis)

Symptoms typically appear 16-18 days after infection, but this period can range from 12-25 days after infection. Some people who get mumps have very mild or no symptoms, and often they do not know they have the disease. Most people with mumps recover completely in a few weeks.

There is no treatment for mumps, and it can cause long-term health problems in a small number of those who become ill including temporary or permanent deafness, swelling of the brain (encephalitis), sterility (inability to reproduce) and in very rare cases death.

Transmission:
Mumps is a contagious disease caused by a virus. It spreads through saliva or mucus from the mouth, nose, or throat. An infected person can spread the virus by

• coughing, sneezing, or talking,
• sharing items, such as cups or eating utensils, with others, and
• touching objects or surfaces with unwashed hands that are then touched by others.

Prevention:
The best way to protect against mumps is to get the measles-mumps-rubella vaccination (MMR). Doctors recommend that ALL children get the MMR vaccine.

• Children 12 months of age or older should have two doses of MMR vaccine, separated by at least 28 days.
• Teenagers and adults without evidence of immunity (protection) to mumps should have two doses of MMR vaccine, separated by at least 28 days.

You can also lower the risk of catching mumps, and many other viruses, by washing your hands often and avoiding touching your face, nose, and mouth. Also always be sure to cover your coughs and sneezes.

If you think you or a family member has mumps and you plan on seeing a health care provider, please call them before visiting their medical office. This will help them take precautions to prevent the spread of the mumps to their staff and other patients.

If you have specific questions about the mumps, please call the Health District at 940.761.7803 or 7892.

For more information on the MMR vaccine, please call the Health District’s Immunization Clinic at 940.761.6841.