9 Quick Facts about the Mumps Parents Need to Know
Case reported at TCU
A case of the mumps has been confirmed at TCU.
The Star-Telegram reports that Tarrant County Public Health officials are working to identify any Texas Christian University students who may have been exposed to the mumps. Currently, no other cases have been reported, but symptoms can take as long as 25 days to develop after exposure.
This is another reminder about the value of vaccination in preventing what can be serious illness. Mumps cases decreased 99 percent after the introduction of a successful strategy for vaccination.
Mumps can be prevented with the MMR vaccine (measles, mumps and rubella). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends children get two doses of MMR vaccine, starting with the first dose at 12 through 15 months of age, and the second dose at 4 through 6 years of age. Teens and adults should also be up to date on their MMR vaccination.
Health officials hope that no other cases will occur because of the TCU campus' high vaccination rate.
The CDC states that a "mumps outbreak can occur any time of year. A major factor contributing to outbreaks is being in a crowded environment, such as attending the same class, playing on the same sports team, or living in a dormitory with a person who has the mumps. Also, certain behaviors that result in exchanging saliva, such as kissing or sharing utensils, cups, lips balm or cigarettes, migh increase spread of the virus. in some years, there are more cases of mumps that usual because of outbreaks."
9 Quick Facts About the Mumps
- It is highly contagious and most often transmitted via respiratory droplets.
- The incubation period from exposure to symptoms can be 2-4 weeks.
- The most common symptoms are low-grade fever, fatigue, headache, sore muscles and joints followed by swelling of the parotid gland (which sits in front of the ear on the side of the face).
- The initial infection of mumps typically goes away by itself with the swelling of the parotid gland lasting up to ten days.
- The real concern with mumps is the secondary complications that can present during the infection.
- Testicular involvement (orchitis): Inflammation of the testicles occurs in up to 38 percent of males diagnosed after puberty. Although complete sterility is rare, impaired fertility and testicular atrophy occur in 13 percent and 40-50 percent respectively.
- Meningitis: Inflammation of the tissue surrounding the brain can occur in 4-6 percent of patients with males more frequently affected (3-4 timesas often as females). Symptoms of meningitis are fever, headache and stiff neck.
- Other less common complications include encephalitis (inflammation of the tissue of the brain), deafness and other neurologic symptoms, arthritis and inflammation of the pancreas.
- Women who contract mumps during pregnancy have an increased risk of miscarriage in the first trimester.
Here's a quick look at mumps cases over the years according to the CDC:
*Case count is preliminary and subject to change
** Cases as of Jan. 27, 2018 Case count is preliminary and subject to change
For More Information:
- Tarrant County Public Health Department
- CDC Mumps Cases and Outbreaks
- About Mumps (CDC)
- Mumps Vaccination
Get to know Justin Smith, M.D.
Justin Smith, M.D., is a pediatrician in Trophy Club and the Medical Advisor for Digital Health for Cook Children's in Fort Worth, Texas. He has an active community on both Facebook and Twitter as @TheDocSmitty and writes weekly for Cook Children's checkupnewsroom.com. He believes that strategic use of social media and technology by pediatricians to connect with families can deepen their relationship and provide a new level of convenience for both of their busy lifestyles. Dr. Smith’s innovative pediatric clinic, a pediatric clinic “designed by you,” open now. Click to learn more. To make an appointment, call 817-347-8100.
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-волк