Strategy to Protect College Students From Mumps (Mumps FAQ)

As many of you know, there has recently been a large mumps outbreak mainly affecting college-age students, which started in Iowa in December 2005 and subsequently affected at least 11 other states.  As of early May 2006, more than 2,500 mumps cases have been reported.  The outbreak is believed to have started in college students, and the predominant age group affected has been 18 to 24 year olds.  Transmission has been widespread in college-age students for reasons that may include social interactions, living environment, and local and interstate travel.  While rare, complications of mumps can be severe, including meningitis, encephalitis and orchitis, leading to hospitalization and in rare instances, death.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American College Health Association believe that it is critically important to decrease the risk of mumps among students and others in the communities in which they reside.

The most effective strategy to protect college students from mumps is to ensure that all students have received two (2) doses of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR).  Previously, individuals born before January 1, 1957, were thought to have natural immunity from the disease and were not required to receive this vaccine.  This recommendation was changed on May 17, 2006.  It is now recommended that any person born before 1957 should receive one (1) dose of MMR vaccine.  Healthcare workers born prior to January 1, 1957 should receive two (2) doses of the MMR vaccine.

These immunizations are necessary to provide the best protection for college students and our community against mumps disease.  This will avoid the inevitable disruption to the educational experience caused by illness and isolation procedures.  MMR is a very safe vaccine, even if the person has had the disease. 

For further information on the mumps or the MMR vaccine, please visit the CDC’s website (www.cdc.gov), the American College Health Association’s website (www.acha.gov), or contact your state or local health department.

           -Debra Lukacsko, MSN, BA, RN, APN, C
            Nurse Practitioner
            Coordinator of Student Health Services
            Center for Health & Counseling Services

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What is the mumps?
 Mumps is an acute viral illness caused by the mumps virus.  Mumps can cause:

• Inflammation of the brain and/or tissue covering the brain and spinal cord (encephalitis / viral meningitis)
• Inflammation of the testicles (orchitis)
• Inflammation of the ovaries and/or breasts (oophoritis and mastitis)
• Spontaneous abortion
• Deafness that is usually permanent

What are the symptoms of mumps?

• Fever
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Tiredness
• Loss of appetite
• Swelling of the salivary glands

How is Mumps spread?
The mumps virus replicates in the upper respiratory tract and is spread through direct contact with respiratory secretions or saliva or fomites.

The infectious period or time that an infected person can transmit mumps to a non-infected person is 3 days before symptoms appear to about 9 days after the symptoms appear.

The incubation time, which is the period from when a person is exposed to the virus to the onset of any symptoms, can vary from 12 to 25 days.

What can I do to prevent from getting the mumps?
The mumps vaccine, which is contained in the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine, can prevent the disease.

Children should get 2 doses of the MMR vaccine.  The first should be given at 12-15 months of age and the second at 4-6 years of age.

Some adults should also get 1 dose of the MMR vaccine.  Generally, anyone 18 years of age or older, who was born after 1956, should get at least one dose of the MMR vaccine.

Who should not get the MMR vaccine?
Some people should not get the MMR vaccine including:

• People who have ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction to gelatin, neomycin, or a previous dose of MMR vaccine
• People who are moderately ill or severely ill at the time the vaccine is to be given.
• Pregnant women should not receive the vaccine.  Women should avoid getting pregnant for 4 weeks after getting this vaccine.
• Some people should check with their medical provider before getting this vaccine, including anyone who has HIV / AIDS or another disease that affects the immune system
• Is being treated with medications that affect the immune system, such as steroids, for 2 weeks or longer.
• Has any kind of cancer
• Is taking cancer treatment with x-rays or medications
• Has a low platelet count
• Recently had a blood transfusion or received other blood products