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Student Health Services > Mumps

Due to the recent documented cases of mumps at nearby colleges and the desire to keep you updated and healthy, below you will find information about the mumps virus and the mumps disease.

 

DESCRIPTION:  An acute viral illness caused by the mumps virus.

 

SYMPTOMS:  Fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, and loss of appetite (similar to any cold, influenza, Epstein Barr mono-type illness); followed by swelling of salivary glands.  The parotid salivary glands (which are located within your cheek, near your jaw line, below your ears) are most frequently affected.

 

COMPLICATIONS:  Severe complications are rare.  However, mumps can cause:

  • Inflammation of the brain and/or tissue covering the brain and spinal cord (encephalitis/meningitis)
  • Inflammation of the testicles (orchitis)
  • Inflammation of the ovaries and/or breasts (oophoritis and mastitis)
  • Spontaneous abortion
  • Deafness, usually permanent

 

TRANSMISSION:  The mumps virus replicates in the upper respiratory tract and is spread through direct contact with respiratory secretions or saliva or through fomites.  The infectious period or time that an infected person can transmit mumps to a non-infected person is from 3 days before symptoms appear to about 9 days after symptoms appear.  The incubation time, which is the period from when a person is exposed to virus to the onset of any symptoms, can vary from 16 to 18 days (range 12-25 days).

 

TREATMENT:  Currently there is no specific treatment for mumps other than symptom relief (e.g. control fever/pain, congestion).

**It is recommended that persons with mumps should be excluded from school, work and community-based activities for nine days after onset of swelling.**

 

EPIDEMIOLOGY(taken from Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices): Two doses of live MMR (Measles Mumps Rubella) immunization are recommended for students attending colleges and other post-high school institutions.  One dose has been proven to be not sufficient to prevent mumps outbreak in school settings (1988-89 school year Kansas, students who had received only one dose of MMR had five times the risk of contracting mumps).

During January 01 – May 02, 2006, the current outbreak in the U.S. has resulted in reports of 2,597 cases of mumps in 11 states.

 

ACCEPTABLE PRESUMPTIVE EVIDENCE OF IMMUNITY TO MUMPS:

1)     Documentation of adequate vaccination (2 doses MMR for students at post-high school educational institutions), or

2)     Laboratory evidence of immunity, or

3)     Birth before 1957, or

4)     Documentation of physician-diagnosed mumps

 

MUMPS OUTBREAK CONTROL:

  • Most adults who have not been vaccinated should receive a second dose of MMR if only one dose documented, or 2 doses especially in adults who work in healthcare, a school/university setting, and persons at high risk of exposure to mumps.
  • Pregnant women and persons with an impaired immune system should not receive live attenuated vaccines (MMR).
  • FOR LAKE FOREST COLLEGE STUDENTS: the vaccine is available through the Office of Student Health. Records of immunization are required for attendance at LFC and especially for residing in dormitories.
  • FOR LAKE FOREST COLLEGE FACULTY AND STAFF: contact your primary physician, local health department (Lake County Health Department = (847) 360-6700, or Passport Health: 250 East Center Drive, Suite 202, Vernon Hills, Illinois 60061, (847) 816-3434.
  • Lake Forest College is instituting a policy of deferred registration for classes until proof of immunizations is available.
  • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and throw away the tissue after you use it.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. If water is not near, use an alcohol-based hand cleaner.
  • Do not share eating and drinking utensils.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose or mouth.

CALL THE OFFICE OF STUDENT HEALTH (847) 735-5050 IF YOU HAVE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS OR NEED INFORMATION