Mumps: The Scary Bumps
What are mumps?
Mumps is a severe viral illness caused by the paramyxovirus. Anyone who is not immune (either from MMR vaccinations or previous mumps infection) is susceptible to getting mumps.
What are the symptoms?
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Tiredness
- Loss of appetite
- Swelling of salivary glands. The parotid salivary glands are most commonly affected. They are located within your cheek, near the jaw line, below the ears.
- In males, swelling of the testicles
How does mumps spread?
- Mumps is spread from person to person through the air by respiratory droplets, typically through coughing and/or sneezing.
- An infected person can spread mumps to other people up to 3 days before symptoms appear, and can continue to spread the virus until approximately 9 days after symptoms are present.
- The time from when a person is exposed to the time when symptoms appear can be up to 25 days (this time is called the incubation period).
What to do if you have symptoms
If you have symptoms, see your health care provider immediately. To schedule a same-day appointment at the Health & Counseling Center, call at 303.871.2205.
How can I prevent getting mumps?
- The best prevention is the MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) immunization. If you were born after 1957, you should receive two doses of MMR vaccine.
- To check your vaccination status, call the Health & Counseling Center at 303.871.2205.
- To schedule a same-day appointment to receive an MMR vaccination, call the Health & Counseling center at 303.871.2205.
- Wash your hands frequently
- Use hand sanitizer frequently.
- Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing to prevent spreading germs.
- Stay at least than three feet away from people if you are experiencing respiratory symptoms or swelling around the jaw.
- If you are ill, please do NOT attend classes so that others are not at heighten risk of exposure.
What happens if I do not get immunized for mumps?
If you fail to complete your MMR immunizations or if you have waived the immunization requirement due to medical, personal, or religious reasons, you may be asked to leave the campus in the event of a campus outbreak. If asked to leave campus, class excuses and/or tuition reimbursements will not be issued.
