What is Mumps?
Mumps is an infectious disease caused by the mumps virus. It is a mild disease in most people causing very little upset and may even go completely unnoticed. In others, however, it can have some quite severe complications. These include meningitis, encephalitis, and deafness, swelling of the testes (orchitis), or swelling of the ovaries (oophoritis). Sterility can occur.
How does it spread?
Humans are the only known host of the mumps virus. Mumps is usually spread from person to person by coughs and sneezes. Occasionally, it may be spread by direct contact with the saliva of someone with mumps. People with the illness can pass it to others several days before the symptoms start until just after the swelling has settled.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms begin with a headache and fever for a day or two, followed by swelling of the parotid glands, in front of the ears on one or both sides. In some cases may, the salivary glands do not swell, but the patient develops symptoms elsewhere.
How can it be treated?
There is no specific treatment for mumps. Treatment is based on alleviating symptoms.
How can it be prevented?
The only effective way to prevent mumps is by vaccination. See below for more detail about the MMR vaccination. To reduce spread, cases are advised to stay at home for 5 days after the swollen glands appear. During that time, they are advised to keep social contact to a minimum e.g. no parties, avoid spreading the disease by kissing etc.
What should students do if they think they have Mumps?
Students should see their G.P. in order that a diagnosis can be made. They should then follow the doctor's advice.
What should students do if / when they get a definite diagnosis of Mumps?
It takes up to two weeks to make a definite diagnosis of mumps. Patients will be told to stay at home and avoid social contact, not to attend lectures etc. A mouth swab will be taken after two weeks of symptoms to confirm the diagnosis.
A patient could be infectious for up to three weeks. A person is infectious for approximately nine days after swelling of the parotid glands starts.
What should students do if they come into contact with someone who has Mumps?
Only those who have either had mumps in the past or have had two doses of the MMR vaccine will be immune to Mumps. The infection is passed on by close social contact. Unless immune a person could contract Mumps by close social contact any stage during the infectious period.
This is why students with Mumps are advised to go home if possible and avoid social contact and not to go to lectures. Also all students are therefore being strongly encouraged to ensure that they receive two doses of the vaccine. Vaccination is the only way of preventing the spread of the illness BUT the vaccine does not take effect immediately.
Should I have MMR?
The MMR vaccine is offered to students who have not had the MMR vaccine or natural mumps infection before.
You do not need to receive the MMR vaccine if:
• You have already had mumps before.
• You have had two doses of the MMR vaccine before (not the measles-rubella vaccine given at school).
If you are not sure if you have had mumps or the MMR vaccine before, you can still have the vaccine. There are no ill effects from vaccinating individuals who are already immune.
Do not have the MMR vaccine if:
• You have already had a severe reaction to MMR.
• You are pregnant - women should avoid pregnancy for 1 month after MMR.
• You have received immunoglobulin or another blood product in the last 3 months.
• You have received a live vaccine in the past 3 weeks e.g. polio vaccine, BCG, yellow fever vaccine.
• You have reacted severely to neomycin or kanamycin before.
• You have reduced immunity e.g. untreated malignant disease or on steroids or other immuno-suppressing medicines.
Have the vaccine another day if:
• You have a feverish illness
• You are advised to have the vaccine on another day when you are better.
Please ask to see the doctor first before taking the vaccine if:
You have a severe allergy to eggs.
• You are HIV positive.
• You are concerned or if you think you should not have the MMR vaccine for a medical reason not listed above.
A doctor will be available at the vaccination sessions. They will discuss with you whether you have other contra-indications and will advise you whether to be vaccinated.
What to do after the vaccination:
Please tell the nurse if you are not feeling well immediately after the vaccine. If so, you may rest for a while in the area provided.
About the MMR vaccine
What is MMR?
MMR is the combined vaccine against measles, mumps and rubella.
How effective is MMR in preventing mumps?
90-95% of people will become immune to mumps after one dose of the vaccine.
Who needs it?
MMR is needed to prevent mumps in those who have not had MMR or natural mumps infection.
MMR was introduced in 1988. Students over the age of 15 will not have been offered MMR. They would have no immunity to mumps, unless they have had the natural infection.
It is recommended that anyone who is unsure about whether they have had mumps or two doses of MMR should have the vaccine.
How quickly does it work?
Having the MMR does not protect you straight away. It can take a few weeks for a person to develop immunity to mumps. MMR cannot therefore stop an outbreak, but protects from future outbreaks.
MMR vaccine can be given irrespective of a history of measles, mumps or rubella infection. There are no ill effects from vaccinating individuals who are already immune. There is no contra-indication to the vaccine for people with egg allergies. HIV positive individuals may be given MMR in the absence of contra-indications.
Are there any adverse reactions?
Following a dose of MMR, malaise, fever and/or a rash can occur, most commonly about a week after immunisation, and lasting about two or three days. Occasionally, adults who get the mumps vaccine may develop swelling of the salivary glands in the cheeks and neck. You cannot get mumps from the vaccine.
Adverse reactions are considerably less common after the second dose. That is why persons who have had measles and rubella vaccination before, are less likely to develop side effects from the MMR vaccine.
Very rarely, a severe allergic reaction can occur straight after any immunisation (about 1 in 100,000 immunisations for MMR). People giving immunisations are trained to deal with allergic reactions.
Over 500 million doses of MMR have been used worldwide. There is no evidence that MMR is linked to autism or bowel disease.
If you are concerned about mumps, phone NHS Direct on 0845 46 47, or visit the NHS Direct website or consult your GP.
For Further Information visit www.mmrthefacts.nhs.uk/
