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MUMPS FAQs
Mumps is an acute viral disease characterized by fever, swelling and tenderness of one or more of the salivary glands.
Although older people may contract the disease, mumps usually occurs in children between the ages of five and fifteen.
Mumps occurs less regularly than other common childhood communicable diseases.
The greatest risk of infection occurs among older children.
Mumps is more common during winter and spring.
Mumps is spread like the common cold by direct contact with saliva and discharge from the nose and throat of infected individuals.
Symptoms include fever, swelling and tenderness of one or more of the salivary glands, usually the glands just below the ear.
Symptoms can also include swelling of the testicles.
Approximately one third of infected individuals do not exhibit symptoms.
The incubation period is usually 16 – 18 days although it may vary from 12 – 25 days.
Mumps is contagious three days prior to and nine days after the onset of symptoms.
A person is most contagious 48 hours prior to the appearance of symptoms.
There is no specific treatment for mumps. Antibiotics are generally not prescribed since it is a viral illness.
Rest, drinking fluids, and taking ibuprofen are typically advised.
Yes. Immunity acquired after contracting the disease is usually permanent.
Students should not attend classes during their infectious period. Cover your nose and mouth
with a disposable tissue when you sneeze or cough and wash your hands frequently. Do not share
food or drinks with others. The single most effective control measure is maintaining the highest
possible level of immunization in the community.
Call Student Health Services at 785.864.9507 or your medical provider for an appointment right away.
Tell the person making your appointment that you suspect that you might have mumps. You will be asked
to wear a mask when you enter Watkins Memorial Health Center.
If you are diagnosed with mumps, you will need to isolate yourself from nine days following the onset of symptoms. This is the time when the illness is most contagious. You may return to work or the classroom on day 10 following the onset of symptoms if you are feeling well enough to do so. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY IMPORTANT PUBLIC HEALTH MEASURE THAT WILL HELP LIMIT THE SPREAD OF ILLNESS TO OTHERS.
Check your vaccination records. You may call Student Health Services and ask to have your medical records
checked for the MMR vaccine. If you have not been vaccinated or only partially vaccinated, the vaccine (which
does not contain Thiomerasol) is available at Student Health Services, however, it takes two weeks for the
body to build effective immunity after the vaccination is received. The cost for each dose of the MMR vaccine
is $48. If you have not received any MMR vaccination previously, you will need two doses spaced 28 days apart.
If your records show that you have been fully vaccinated and you desire further confirmation of immunity, a blood test is available. This test, called Mumps Titer, checks for the presence of immunity in your body. The cost for the test is $23 and is available at the Student Health Services Laboratory. A physician’s order is required for this test -- Student Health Services will assist students with obtaining that order.
Yes. Information obtained from the CDC, which is monitoring the outbreak of mumps in the state of Iowa,
shows that 65% of the patients with mumps had previously been immunized with 2 doses of the MMR vaccine.
It is always a good idea to practice disease prevention such as washing your hands frequently,
not sharing drinking glasses or tableware, covering your cough and using disposable tissues,
and living a healthy lifestyle. Additionally, although vaccination will not provide immediate immunity,
this is a good time to update your vaccines if you are not current.
Swelling of the testicles occurs in 15-25% of infected males. Of those who develop swelling of the testicles,
rarely do they become sterile.
It is very important that your friend stay home from classes, work, and other public activities for nine days
following the onset of his or her illness. There is no specific treatment for mumps.
Student Health Services recommends plenty of rest, consumption of ample amounts of water and healthy foods,
and acetaminophen or ibuprofen as needed for pain.
Additional resources include:
Kansas Department of Health and Environment Centers for Disease Control World Health Organization KU Student Health Services
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More Mumps Information
Call the National Immunization Hotline:
KU Student Health Services Email us: Student Health Services. |
