Health & Wellness Center
You may have heard about recent outbreaks of the mumps on college campuses. Some area colleges and universities, as well as large institutions, such as Harvard, have seen an increase in the number of cases reported.
WHAT IS THE MUMPS?
Mumps is a contagious disease caused by a virus that passes from one person to another through saliva, nasal secretions, and close personal contact.
The condition primarily affects the parotid glands. Parotid glands- also called salivary glands- are the organs responsible for producing saliva. There are three sets of salivary glands on each side of your face, located behind and below your ears. The hallmark symptom of mumps is swelling of the salivary glands.
WHAT SHOULD I LOOK FOR?
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:
- Muscle aches
- Loss of appetite
- Swollen and tender salivary glands under ears on one or both sides (parotitis)
Symptoms typically appear 16-18 days after infection, but can be range from 12-25 days. Some people who contract the mumps have very mild symptoms or no symptoms at all. Often people do not know they even have the disease. Most people with the mumps recover completely within a few weeks.
CAN MUMPS BE PREVENTED?
Good hygiene is key in the prevention of the mumps.
- Always cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze
- Wash your hands frequently
- Dispose of used tissues and other similar objects appropriately
- Do not share glasses, eating utensils, water bottles, cigarettes, lipstick/makeup, etc.
HOW CAN I PREVENT GETTING MUMPS?
Mumps can be prevented with the MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine. You need to have 2 doses of the vaccine for maximum effectiveness. A simple blood test called titers, can determine whether you are immune to the disease.
For additional information visit the CDC website (http://www.cdc.gov/mumps/)
Health and Wellness Center Staff
|Director||Audrey Krapf, RN, MBA, PhT, LRS-I, Notary Public|
|Associate Director||Rosemary McCarthy, RN, BS|
|Assistant Director||Kevin Murphy, RN, BS|
|Nurse I||Sharon Cellan, RN, BS|
|Nurse I||Mirella Condoluci, RN, AS|
|Nurse Practitioner||Catherine Adamcewicz, RN, MS, FNP-C|
|Physician||Alan Frazzitta, MD|
|Physician||Jeffrey Elfenbein, DO|
|Physician||George K. Lau, MD|
|Administrative Assistant||Linda Little|
|Medical Records Specialist||Shanaz Khatoon|
|Alcohol and other Addictions Counselor||Kathleen Casserly, CASAC, BS|
|Health Educator||Nancy Smithwick, RN, AS|
|Massage Therapist||Patricia Bigliani, LMT|
|Student Advocate/Research Assistant||Elizabeth LaFroscia|