Six University of Iowa students have tested positive for mumps in the past few weeks, according to a message administrators sent Friday to UI students and parents.
“We have alerted area healthcare professionals to be watching for symptoms and have provided additional training for our resident hall staff and resident assistants,” Tom Rocklin, UI vice president for student life, stated in the letter. “Students, if you become ill with the symptoms listed (below), please stay home and away from others and wash your hands frequently.”
Rocklin noted that the university will post updates as needed on the UI Student Health and Wellness website, and he directed concerned students and family members to additional information provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The mumps virus is spread through contact with saliva or mucous from the mouth, nose or throat. Signs and symptoms include:
•Fever
•Headache
•Sore throat
•Jaw pain
•Loss of appetite
•Swelling in the salivary glands
The period of contagiousness for the disease starts before the jaw swelling and lasts for five days after swelling begins, according to the letter.
Mumps are generally benign, Rocklin wrote, especially in people who have received two measles, mumps and rubella vaccines, but the disease is contagious. Cases of the disease have also been reported on other university campuses in the Midwest.
“There are steps we can all take to keep mumps from spreading on campus,” the letter stated. “The best way to protect yourself and others is to receive two doses of the MMR vaccine.”
Some people who receive two doses of MMR can still get mumps, however, especially if they have prolonged, close contact with someone who has the disease, according to the letter. If a vaccinated person does get mumps, they will likely have less severe illness than an unvaccinated person.
http://www.press-citizen.com/story/...y-iowa-students-test-positive-mumps/31733115/
“We have alerted area healthcare professionals to be watching for symptoms and have provided additional training for our resident hall staff and resident assistants,” Tom Rocklin, UI vice president for student life, stated in the letter. “Students, if you become ill with the symptoms listed (below), please stay home and away from others and wash your hands frequently.”
Rocklin noted that the university will post updates as needed on the UI Student Health and Wellness website, and he directed concerned students and family members to additional information provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The mumps virus is spread through contact with saliva or mucous from the mouth, nose or throat. Signs and symptoms include:
•Fever
•Headache
•Sore throat
•Jaw pain
•Loss of appetite
•Swelling in the salivary glands
The period of contagiousness for the disease starts before the jaw swelling and lasts for five days after swelling begins, according to the letter.
Mumps are generally benign, Rocklin wrote, especially in people who have received two measles, mumps and rubella vaccines, but the disease is contagious. Cases of the disease have also been reported on other university campuses in the Midwest.
“There are steps we can all take to keep mumps from spreading on campus,” the letter stated. “The best way to protect yourself and others is to receive two doses of the MMR vaccine.”
Some people who receive two doses of MMR can still get mumps, however, especially if they have prolonged, close contact with someone who has the disease, according to the letter. If a vaccinated person does get mumps, they will likely have less severe illness than an unvaccinated person.
http://www.press-citizen.com/story/...y-iowa-students-test-positive-mumps/31733115/
