Mumps: How to Protect Yourself
April 6, 2006 — -- A mumps epidemic is currently sweeping across the Midwest, even among vaccinated people. Here's what you need to know about this viral infection, from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Description
An infection of the salivary glands caused by a virus
Symptoms
Fever, headache, muscle ache and swelling of the glands close to the jaw
Complications
Meningitis, inflammation of the testicles or ovaries, inflammation of the pancreas and deafness (usually permanent)
Transmission
Spread by coughing and sneezing
Mumps is about as contagious as influenza and rubella but not as contagious as measles or chickenpox. It is generally transmitted from about three days before symptoms appear to about four days after, although the virus has been isolated from saliva as early as seven days before to as late as nine days after the onset of symptoms.
The virus replicates in the nasopharynx and lymph nodes of the infected person and is transmitted through the air or through direct contact with infected droplets or saliva.
Vaccine
Mumps vaccine (contained in MMR) can prevent this disease.
As an adult, you do not need the measles, mumps, rubella vaccine (MMR) if:
You had blood tests that show you are immune to measles, mumps and rubella.
You are male and born before 1957.
You are female and born before 1957 and are sure you're not having more children, have already had rubella vaccine or have had a positive rubella test.
You already had two doses of MMR or one dose of MMR plus a second dose of measles vaccine.
You already had one dose of MMR and are not at high risk of measles exposure.
As an adult, you should get the measles vaccine if you are not among the categories listed above, and
You are a college student, trade school student or other student beyond high school.
You work in a hospital or other medical facility.
You travel internationally, or are a passenger on a cruise ship.
You are a woman of childbearing age.
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