While the pun in the title is definitely intended, the mumps
virus is no joking matter. In recent months, we’ve seen a spike in the number
of reported mumps cases—not just in Iowa, but across the United States. Iowa’s
number of reported cases has jumped up to 110 times the average, and has
particularly increased in counties with a college presence.
As of March 28, 2016, 550 cases of mumps were reported,
which is thought to be underreported. Iowa typically sees between five to 15
cases of mumps per year. Mumps is an infection caused by the mumps virus. That’s
about as clear as mud. Breaking it down into symptoms exhibited may make it
easier to understand.
Symptoms common to those afflicted by mumps include fever,
headache, muscle aches, tiredness, loss of appetite, and swollen salivary
glands under the jaw, according to the Iowa Department of Public Health. Mumps
is most prevalent among infants, children, and young adults, but has become a
rare disease in the United States due to high vaccination rates for the
infection.
Mumps is spread through saliva or mucus from the mouth,
nose, or throat from an infected person. This could be when a person sneezes,
coughs, or even talks. An infected person who touches surfaces without washing
his or her hands can also perpetuate the illness.
Although some individuals elect to forego vaccinations, many
in the United States follow vaccination guidelines administered from the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/acip-recs/index.html).
So, what is the moral of this sickly story? Make sure your
MMR vaccine is up-to-date and that if you get diagnosed with the infection you
take appropriate measures to keep your distance from others and to wash your
hands…OFTEN!
Please contact your primary care provider to find out if
your MMR immunizations are current.
- http://idph.iowa.gov/cade/disease-information/mumps
- http://www.radioiowa.com/2016/03/28/reported-mumps-cases-are-up-this-year/
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