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Mumps Information for Parents of
School Children
May 4, 2006
Wisconsin is experiencing an outbreak of Mumps. At least one confirmed case of Mumps has been reported in Portage,
Marathon, Waupaca and Wood Counties. If your child has not been immunized against Mumps, please consider having
them vaccinated at this time. Immunizations are available through your doctor or health department.
What is Mumps? Mumps
is a viral infection that can cause swelling of the salivary glands. Mumps can affect any person of any age who
has not had the disease or been immunized against it.
What
are the symptoms? The disease begins with
low grade fever, headache, muscle pain, and a general feeling of discomfort. Commonly the cheek and jaw area (salivary
glands) swells on one or both sides within the first 2 days of illness.
How is Mumps spread? Mumps can be spread from person to person through the air by coughing,
sneezing or simply talking. The infected person can spread mumps beginning 3 days before symptoms start to the
9th day after symptoms begin. Symptoms begin 2-3 weeks after exposure.
How serious an illness is mumps? Children less than 2 years old often have a milder illness.
About 1 child out of 10 who get mumps also gets meningitis (an inflammation of the brain and spinal cord). Other
complications can include encephalitis (inflammation of the brain). Deafness is rare. Teenage or adult men may
develop a painful swelling of the testicles. Sterility is rare.
How
can you protect against getting mumps? Immunizations
are your best protection.
Wisconsin requires two Mumps immunizations for school
age children. Children receive the first MMR at 12 to 15 months of age. Children receive the second MMR at 4 to
6 years of age.
Mumps vaccine is included in the MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) immunization. One MMR provides 80% protection against
Mumps. The second MMR provides 90% protection.
If someone in a school gets mumps, unimmunized children may need to be excluded for several days. If you are not
sure if your child has had the MMR vaccine, call your school, your doctor or Public Health Department. The Portage County Health Department number is
(715) 345-5350. If you or a family member
develop Mumps like symptoms, please contact your doctor. Stay home from school, work, or public activities until
you know you are not contagious.
Becky Dougherty, R.N.
Portage
County Public Health
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