Genesee County Health Department

Better Life Through Better Health

Release Date:             April 21, 2006              Kill Date:  April 28, 2006

Contact Person:          Robert M. Pestronk, MPH

                                    Health Officer

Genesee County Health Department

Phone:                         (810) 257-3812

RE:             Mumps:  General Information and Vaccination Practices

Recently there have been an unusually high number of cases and suspected cases of mumps in a multi-state region.  Although there have been no confirmed cases of mumps in Genesee County, the Health Department is reminding community members to check their vaccination records to make sure both they and their children have been vaccinated, and also to continue responsible health practices.

Mumps is a viral infection which commonly affects the salivary glands. Symptoms include swelling of the glands close to the jaw, fever, headache and muscle aches. Children who get mumps may develop respiratory symptoms, mild meningitis (inflammation of the covering of the brain and spinal cord) and rarely encephalitis (inflammation of the brain). Mumps also can occasionally result in permanent hearing loss. Serious complications also can include swelling of the testicles or ovaries, but rarely cause sterility.

Transmission of the mumps virus occurs by direct contact with respiratory droplets or saliva from an infected person. Generally it takes 16-18 days (range 12-25 days) from exposure to the virus to the development of symptoms. If you exhibit any of the symptoms listed above, please contact your primary care physician. 

The principal strategy to prevent mumps is to receive the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine (MMR).  The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends that all children between 12-15 months of age receive one dose of MMR and all school-aged children should have received two doses of MMR between 4 and 6 years of age.  It is believed that adults born before 1957 are considered immune to measles, mumps, and rubella due to passively acquired immunity.  Prior infection with the mumps virus generally gives life-long immunity.  One dose of MMR vaccine should be adequate for protection for those born during or after 1957 who lack a history of mumps based on health care provider diagnosis or who lack laboratory evidence of immunity.  All residents are encouraged to make wise personal choices which can protect themselves and others from any type of infection. These include: 

□        Avoid close contact.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick. If you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.  Don’t shake hands with someone who is sick or if you are sick.

□        Stay home when you are sick.
If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. Help prevent others from catching your illness.

□        Cover your mouth and nose.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.

□        Wash your hands.
Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs and others from your germs.

□        Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.

□        Use paper tissue once and discard after use.

□        Drink plenty of non-alcoholic liquids.

□        Don’t smoke.

□        Get adequate sleep.

□        Reduce stress.

□        Eat a healthy diet.

□        Exercise regularly at a level consistent with current fitness level.