While MSOE’s campus has not had any reported cases of mumps, it is important as a community that we recognize that the greater Milwaukee Community has had several reported cases. Following is some basic information regarding Mumps provided to you as a precautionary measure and meant to be useful for you to know. If you feel like you or someone you know may have some of the signs and or symptoms, please contact MSOE medical assistant Carla Brooks at (414) 277-7333 or healthservices@msoe.edu.
What causes Mumps?
Mumps is a contagious disease caused by a virus. It spreads through saliva or mucus from the mouth, nose, or throat. An infected person can spread the virus by:
- Coughing/Sneezing
- Talking
- Sharing items, such as cups or eating utensils, with others
- Touching objects or surfaces with unwashed hands that are then touched by others.
Mumps likely spreads before the salivary glands begin to swell and up to five days after the swelling begins.
Signs & Symptoms of Mumps
Mumps is best known for the puffy cheeks and swollen jaw that it causes. This is a result of swollen salivary glands. The most common symptoms include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Tiredness
- Loss of appetite
- Swollen and tender salivary glands under the ears on one or both sides (parotitis)
Symptoms typically appear 16-18 days after infection, but this period can range from 12-25 days after infection. Some people who get mumps have very mild or no symptoms, and often they do not know they have the disease. Most people with mumps recover completely in a few weeks.
Complications of Mumps
Mumps can occasionally cause complications, especially in adults. Complications include:
- Inflammation of the testicles (orchitis) in males who have reached puberty; rarely does this lead to fertility problems
- Inflammation of the brain (encephalitis)
- Inflammation of the tissue covering the brain and spinal cord (meningitis)
- Inflammation of the ovaries (oophoritis) and/or breast tissue (mastitis)
- Deafness
For more information please check out the following link: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4211.pdf