Mumps Outbreaks on the Rise: Why is That?
Recent mumps case outbreaks have many people on high alert, especially Ohio residents, with an influx of cases being reported at Ohio State University. “College campuses have a lot of people in a close setting – a lot of intermingling – so a lot of the outbreaks have been on college campuses,” Roshni Shetty MD, of Queen City Physicians – Western Hills explains.
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The Mumps Virus: How it’s Spread
The mumps vaccine is given in two doses. After the first dose, it’s about 78 percent effective. After the second dose, the effectiveness in preventing mumps is about 88 percent. “It’s a good vaccine, but it’s not perfect,” Dr. Shetty explains.
Mumps is passed from saliva or mucous from the mouth, nose or throat, which means something as simple as a sneeze, cough or the sharing of a cup or utensil is enough to transmit the virus.
How to Protect Yourself from Mumps
Your first line of defense is the vaccination. The first dose is usually administered at age 12 to 15 months, while the second one is given between the ages of 4 and 6. Eventually, however, immunity can wane. “Currently, they don’t necessarily recommend getting a third vaccine but you can get titer checked, and if your titer is low, then it may be a good idea to get an additional shot,” Dr. Shetty points out.
An antibody titer is a laboratory test that measures the level of antibodies in a blood sample. So if you’ll be in a high-risk environment, like living in a college dorm or traveling to certain parts of the world, it may be worth an antibody titer beforehand. Depending on your levels, your doctor may suggest a booster shot.
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- Learn more about Antibody Titer Tests in our Health Library.
When Should I See My Doctor?
If you have contracted mumps, you may experience the following symptoms: headaches, muscle aches, tiredness and loss of appetite. However, the most telling symptom is swelling of the salivary glands. Not everyone gets symptoms with exposure; however, “if you get swelling of the salivary glands, that should clue you in right away,” Dr. Shetty points out.
There’s no treatment for mumps and you’ll usually recover in one or two weeks. If you have contracted the disease, you can take the following over-the-counter medicines to relieve symptoms:
If you experience swelling of the salivary glands, Dr. Shetty suggests putting warm or cold packs on swollen areas for symptom-relief.
Additionally, once you’ve been diagnosed, try to stay away from other people for about five days to reduce the risk of transmission.