Mumps: Definition and Symptoms
Mumps is an acute viral infection usually characterized by nonspecific symptoms such as muscle pain, lack of appetite, malaise, headache, and fever, sometimes (but not always) followed by sudden swelling of the salivary glands in the cheeks and under the jaw bone. Complications can include inflammation of the pancreas, testes, ovaries, and breasts. Rarely, there is brain involvement that can lead to deafness. Mumps occurs most often in children ages two through twelve, although unvaccinated adults are also susceptible. Although uncomfortable, mumps is usually harmless and symptoms normally subside within ten days. Many children with mumps have no symptoms.

Transmission
Transmission of the virus occurs by direct contact with respiratory droplets and saliva (think coughs and sneezes) or with contaminated surfaces. After exposure to mumps, the incubation period (until onset of symptoms) is usually 16-18 days.

Questions to Determine if You Are Immune

• Have you ever had mumps?

• Have you had two MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccination?

• Have you had a blood test that shows you are immune to mumps?

If you cannot answer yes to at least one of these questions, you should contact your family doctor or sign up to get two shots of MMR vaccination at Bucknell for a minimal cost of $5.00 each. In accordance with best health practices, to increase the likelihood of success of the vaccine, the shots will be given roughly one month apart. If you would like to receive these vaccinations from Bucknell, please fill out this form no later than Wednesday, September 27, 2006:

• Register for MMR vaccination

Additional Information

Memo sent to campus on Sept. 19, 2006

You can find more information about mumps at http://www.cdc.gov/nip/diseases/mumps/