Jewish Community Health Initiative

Information About Mumps

(updated Sept 17, 2010 12:40pm)

Mumps is a usually mild illness that occasionally causes complications, and some of these can be serious. Once a normal rite of childhood, cases of mumps are rare since development of the mumps vaccine. This vaccine is usually given in 2 doses as part of a 3-pronged mumps, measles and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Sometimes this is given in a 4-part vaccine that includes varicella (chickenpox). Most states require 2 doses of MMR vaccine prior to entering 1st or 2nd grade.

Please note that it usually takes approximately 2-1/2 weeks after exposure before symptoms appear. Mumps is contagious from 1-3 days before symptons until about 5 days following symptoms. The classic symptom is a swollen jawline (under the ear or jaw of one or both sides of the face).

Why is there an outbreak if people are routinely vaccinated?

Mumps in the House? What you need to do

Why is there an outbreak if people are routinely vaccinated?

The vaccine is not perfect. 2 doses may protect up to 90% of people, and when those who were immunized do get mumps, they are much less likely to have complications. But it is not perfect. If a large group of people are exposed, then some people are going to catch it even if they are immunized. Since people can choose not to vaccinate their children on religious grounds, there are also a small percentage of people who have no immunity and are susceptible. The outbreak that affected so many yeshiva boys and young men in NY/NJ is believed to have spread because of the large number of boys/men in close proximity all day in the beis medrash.

Symptoms

The classical sign of mumps is swelling and tenderness under the ear or jaw on one or both sides of the face. Other symptoms include: fever, headaches, muscle aches, tiredness, and loss of appetite. Anyone with symptoms in a location where exposure is likely, should contact a doctor promptly. It is important for people with mumps to be isolated for 5 days to prevent further spread of the disease.

Complications

Most cases are mild, but occasionally there can be:

• Inflammation of reproductive organs in males and females, rarely resulting in sterilty in males.

• Inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) and/or tissue covering the brain and spinal cord (meningitis).

• Temporary or permanent deafness

Treatment

There is no treatment for mumps. Vaccination is our best protection, but won't "heal" mumps - it can only help prevent a future case.

Vaccination

Usual schedule of MMR vaccination is to have the 1st dose at 12-15 months, and the 2nd dose at age 4-6. However, the 2nd dose can be given any time as long as it is at least 30 days after the 1st dose. Some pediatricians advocate 2nd doses before age 4, especially for kids attending school or day care. In places experiencing outbreaks, 2nd doses are often given as soon as possible.

Adults born prior to 1957 are usually assumed to have had mumps. Adults born in 1957 or later, may wish to be vaccinated if they had less than 2 doses and never had mumps. If unaware of history of mumps or vaccination, consult your doctor.

Transmission

Mumps is spread by droplets of saliva or mucus from the mouth, nose or throat of an infected person, usually when the person coughs, sneezes or talks. Items such as cups or soft drink cans can also become contaminated with the virus, which may spread to others when those items are shared. In addition, the virus may spread when someone with mumps touches items or surfaces without washing their hands, and someone else then touches the same surface and rubs their eyes, mouth, nose, etc..

Mumps in the house?

People with mumps should:

• Minimize contact with others

• Be isolated for 5 days after glands swell

• Cover cough or sneeze with tissue or upper sleeve, not hands!

Others in the house should:

• Wash hands well and often, with soap