REPORT THIS DISEASE TO COBB & DOUGLAS PUBLIC HEALTH WITHIN 7 DAYS

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WHAT IS IT?

Mumps is a very contagious disease that is caused by the paramyxovirus, a member of the Rubulavirus family. This disease can be spread through saliva or mucus from the mouth, nose, or throat. Mumps is no longer as common in the United States but outbreaks continue to occur. Mumps outbreaks have been found to spread among sick individuals with mumps who are in close contact with a lot of people, even if they are vaccinated.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Muscles aches
  • Tiredness
  • Loss of appetite
  • Swollen and tender salivary glands under ears on one or both sides (parotitis)

Pregnant women, adults, babies, and people with weakened immune systems are at risk for serious complications. Series complications from this illness are encephalitis (swelling of the brain), meningitis (inflammation of the tissue covering the brain and spinal cord) and deafness. Symptoms generally begin usually 16-18 days but can vary from 12-25 days from exposure. A person is contagious from 2 days before to 5 days after the onset of parotitis. Most people with mumps recover completely in a few weeks. Some people with mumps may not always appear to have symptoms and atypical symptoms (cold-like symptoms including running nose, and/ or post nasal drip) may occur.

HOW CAN I PREVENT CONTRACTING THIS DISEASE?

Currently, there is a vaccine to prevent mumps – the Measles, Mumps, & Rubella (MMR) vaccine. The MMR vaccine is m