Mumps

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Monitoring Mumps

Picture: Courtesy of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Mumps are spreading through a number of Midwest states. On April 19, Iowa (the center of the latest breakout) there were 975 confirmed, probable and suspect cases of mumps reported in 66 counties. While it is considered a ‘childhood’ disease, the median age of infected people in this latest outbreak is 21. On Friday, April 21, South Dakota state health officials confirmed the state's first case of the disease in 15 years – in a college student at Dakota State University.

If you or your children have not already received the MMR (Measles, Mumps & Rubella) vaccination, you need to contact your doctor or clinic to get it. The Center for Disease Control recommends two doses of the vaccine for children. 80% of people who receive one dose of the vaccine are considered immune. That jumps to 90% with two doses. The likelihood of contracting Mumps after being vaccinated is very low. People who have had mumps are also considered immune.
Mumps outbreaks are spread in areas – schools, communities, etc. – where a low percentage of the people have been vaccinated. It is less contagious than measles or chickenpox. The viral disease is spread through by coughing or sneezing. People who have mumps may spread the infection to others, even when they do not have any symptoms or their illness is mild.

The infectious period or time that an infected person can transmit mumps to a non-infected person is from three days before symptoms appear to about nine days after the symptoms appear. The symptoms of mumps include a low-grade fever and swelling or tenderness of one or more of the salivary glands in the cheeks and under the jaw. In males, up to 50% may also experience testicular pain and swelling. Symptoms usually appear between 12 and 25 days after a person has been exposed to the virus. However, some infected people do not have symptoms. There is no "cure" for mumps, only supportive treatment (bed rest, fluids, fever reduction).

In addition to vaccines, other precautions to help prevent the spread of mumps include: use good respiratory hygiene and cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing; wash your hands frequently; do not share eating utensils or drinking beverages; and stay home if you are sick.

Facts About Mumps for Adults from the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases.

FACT: Mumps can be prevented with a safe and effective vaccine.

FACT: Mumps is contagious from 3 days before to 4 days after the onset of symptoms.

FACT: Approximately one-fifth of infected people do not have symptoms of mumps.

FACT: Serious complications of mumps are more common among adults than among children.

FACT: Women may be at risk for spontaneous abortions (miscarriages) if they get mumps during the first trimester of pregnancy.

FACT: About 2 out of every 4 adolescent or adult men who have mumps may experience painful swelling of the testicles. Sterility rarely occurs.

FACT: Rare complications caused by mumps include infection of the brain (encephalitis) and inflammation of the covering of the brain and spinal cord (meningitis). Other rare complications include arthritis, kidney and pancreas problems, deafness, and inflammation of the ovaries.

FACT: The incidence of mumps in adults has dropped dramatically due to the use of a second dose of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine.

Information from the Iowa State Dept. of Health, the Center for Disease Control, the South Dakota Dept. of Health and the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases