Three University of Alabama students were recently treated for mumps and have made a full recovery. The three students are no longer contagious, and all have resumed their normal activities. As a precaution, the Alabama Department of Public Health is reaching out to individuals who may have been in contact with those students to discuss the potential need for treatment. Students should check their email, including their junk files, for an email from the Alabama Department of Public Health.
The risk of mumps can be significantly reduced with two measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccines, which most people get as children. For persons who have not received two doses of the vaccine, the Alabama Department of Public Health strongly recommends the following:
- Persons who received only one dose of MMR vaccine should immediately receive a second MMR at their doctor’s office or county health department.
- Persons who do not have any record of MMR either should get both doses, or should not attend classes for 25 days after exposure to mumps. Tentatively, the 25-day exposure would end March 19.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, mumps is a virus that can spread from person to person usually when a person coughs, sneezes or talks. It can also spread indirectly when people with mumps touch surfaces without washing their hands, and then others touch those same surfaces and proceed to rub their mouths or noses.
The most common symptoms of mumps include low-grade fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, loss of appetite, and swollen or tender salivary glands below the ear. Some people may have mild or no symptoms. Most people with mumps recover completely in a few weeks. If you think you may have the mumps, seek medical attention at the UA Student Health Center, UA Medical Center, Tuscaloosa County Health Department, or through a private physician.
With few exceptions, students admitted to UA are required to be immunized for mumps and other contagious diseases. Those who are unsure of their immunization status may contact the UA Student Health Center at 205-348-6262. Students also may receive immunizations at the health center.
Members of the UA community who feel they have been in contact with these students and have noticed a swelling of the glands below their ears are urged to get screened for mumps. Testing is available at the UA Student Health Center and the Tuscaloosa County Health Department, 2350 Hargrove Road East, Tuscaloosa. Private physicians also can screen for mumps.
If you have questions, please call the Alabama Department of Public Health at 1-800-469-4599 or the Tuscaloosa County Health Department at (205) 562-6900.
For additional information:
CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/mumps/index.html
ADPH website: http://www.adph.org/Immunization/index.asp?ID=2014
A list of frequently asked questions is also available at https://www.ua.edu/campuslife/health/mumps.