Lockwood Schools Health Center in Billings, Montana

Mumps Disease

As you have heard, there has been an outbreak of mumps in the Midwest originating in a college in Iowa.The outbreak has now spread to multiple states and several potential cases in Montana are under review.Recent outbreak of mumps in the news: Current information indicates that a recent outbreak of mumps happened in December 2006 in Iowa. The outbreak may have begun on a college campus. Colleges that have group living, dining, studying, and sports are areas that make disease transmission more likely, and increase the chance of outbreaks. Once started, such outbreaks sometime spread to the community, causing illness in persons who do not attend college.

What are the symptoms of mumps? The most common symptoms are fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness and loss of appetite followed by swollen and tender glands under the ears on one or both sides. Mumps can lead to hearing loss, infection of the covering of the brain and spinal cord in about 10% of cases, painful, swollen testicles in 20% to 30% of males who have reached puberty, but rarely does this lead to fertility problems, and painful swollen breasts in about 30% of women who have reached puberty.
How soon do symptoms appear? Symptoms typically appear 16-18 days after infection, but this period can range from 12-25 days after infection.

How is mumps spread? Mumps is spread by mucus or droplets from the nose or throat of an infected person, usually when a person coughs or sneezes. Surfaces of items (e.g. toys) can also spread the virus if someone who is sick touches them without washing their hands, and someone else then touches the same surface and then rubs their eyes, mouth, nose.

What is the treatment for mumps? There is no specific treatment. If someone becomes very ill, they should seek medical attention. If someone seeks medical attention, they should call their doctor in advance so that they don't have to sit in the waiting room for a long time and possibly infect other patients.

How do I protect myself (my kids/my family)? The Mumps vaccine is the best way to prevent mumps. Wash hands well and often with soap, and teach children to wash their hands. Eating utensils should not be shared, and surfaces that are frequently touched (toys, doorknobs, tables, counters) should also be regularly cleaned with soap and water, or with cleaning wipes.

Is there a vaccine to prevent mumps? Yes. Two doses of vaccine, given as combination measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine are routinely recommended for all children. The first dose is given on or after the first birthday; the second is given at 4 - 6 years of age. MMR is a live, weakened vaccine. Most adults who have not been vaccinated should also receive 1 dose of MMR vaccine, but adults who work in healthcare, a school/university setting, and persons at high risk of exposure to mumps should get 2 doses. Pregnant women and persons with an impaired immune system should not receive live attenuated vaccines.

If I was exposed to someone with mumps, what should I do? Not everyone who is exposed to someone with mumps will get sick. If a person has been vaccinated with two doses of mumps vaccine, it is very unlikely they will get mumps. However, if a person hasn't been vaccinated, it is possible they could get sick and they should watch for symptoms. If a person hasn't been vaccinated, this is a good time to get another dose of mumps vaccine, and to make sure that everyone else in the house where they live is also vaccinated. Mumps vaccine has not been shown to be effective in preventing disease after exposure, but vaccination of exposed susceptible persons will reduce the risk of disease from possible future exposures. If symptoms develop (generally 16-18 days after exposure), the person should not go to school or work for at least 9 days and should contact their medical provider.

Will there be an outbreak in the school I attend/where my child attends? Outbreaks can only begin when there are enough people in an area (school or community) who are not immune from the disease. The best way to prevent a mumps outbreak in a school is to make sure that everyone in that school has had two doses of mumps vaccine (MMR).

What can be done to stop the spread of mumps? Anyone with mumps should not go back to child care, school or work for 9 days after symptoms begin. If you think you have symptoms or feel you were exposed to mumps, please notify your health care provider or health department.

	News from the Nurse Back to Nurse News Index
	Mumps Disease As you have heard, there has been an outbreak of mumps in the Midwest originating in a college in Iowa.The outbreak has now spread to multiple states and several potential cases in Montana are under review.Recent outbreak of mumps in the news: Current information indicates that a recent outbreak of mumps happened in December 2006 in Iowa. The outbreak may have begun on a college campus. Colleges that have group living, dining, studying, and sports are areas that make disease transmission more likely, and increase the chance of outbreaks. Once started, such outbreaks sometime spread to the community, causing illness in persons who do not attend college. What are the symptoms of mumps? The most common symptoms are fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness and loss of appetite followed by swollen and tender glands under the ears on one or both sides. Mumps can lead to hearing loss, infection of the covering of the brain and spinal cord in about 10% of cases, painful, swollen testicles in 20% to 30% of males who have reached puberty, but rarely does this lead to fertility problems, and painful swollen breasts in about 30% of women who have reached puberty. How soon do symptoms appear? Symptoms typically appear 16-18 days after infection, but this period can range from 12-25 days after infection. How is mumps spread? Mumps is spread by mucus or droplets from the nose or throat of an infected person, usually when a person coughs or sneezes. Surfaces of items (e.g. toys) can also spread the virus if someone who is sick touches them without washing their hands, and someone else then touches the same surface and then rubs their eyes, mouth, nose. What is the treatment for mumps? There is no specific treatment. If someone becomes very ill, they should seek medical attention. If someone seeks medical attention, they should call their doctor in advance so that they don't have to sit in the waiting room for a long time and possibly infect other patients. How do I protect myself (my kids/my family)? The Mumps vaccine is the best way to prevent mumps. Wash hands well and often with soap, and teach children to wash their hands. Eating utensils should not be shared, and surfaces that are frequently touched (toys, doorknobs, tables, counters) should also be regularly cleaned with soap and water, or with cleaning wipes. Is there a vaccine to prevent mumps? Yes. Two doses of vaccine, given as combination measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine are routinely recommended for all children. The first dose is given on or after the first birthday; the second is given at 4 - 6 years of age. MMR is a live, weakened vaccine. Most adults who have not been vaccinated should also receive 1 dose of MMR vaccine, but adults who work in healthcare, a school/university setting, and persons at high risk of exposure to mumps should get 2 doses. Pregnant women and persons with an impaired immune system should not receive live attenuated vaccines. If I was exposed to someone with mumps, what should I do? Not everyone who is exposed to someone with mumps will get sick. If a person has been vaccinated with two doses of mumps vaccine, it is very unlikely they will get mumps. However, if a person hasn't been vaccinated, it is possible they could get sick and they should watch for symptoms. If a person hasn't been vaccinated, this is a good time to get another dose of mumps vaccine, and to make sure that everyone else in the house where they live is also vaccinated. Mumps vaccine has not been shown to be effective in preventing disease after exposure, but vaccination of exposed susceptible persons will reduce the risk of disease from possible future exposures. If symptoms develop (generally 16-18 days after exposure), the person should not go to school or work for at least 9 days and should contact their medical provider. Will there be an outbreak in the school I attend/where my child attends? Outbreaks can only begin when there are enough people in an area (school or community) who are not immune from the disease. The best way to prevent a mumps outbreak in a school is to make sure that everyone in that school has had two doses of mumps vaccine (MMR). What can be done to stop the spread of mumps? Anyone with mumps should not go back to child care, school or work for 9 days after symptoms begin. If you think you have symptoms or feel you were exposed to mumps, please notify your health care provider or health department.