Mumps and MMR
Welcome to the University's Mumps and MMR pages. Please use the links below to find out information on mumps and how you can protect yourself.
What is Mumps?
Mumps is an infectious disease caused by the mumps virus. It is
a mild disease in most people causing very little upset and may
even go completely unnoticed. In others, however, it can have
some quite severe complications. These include swelling of the
testes (orchitis), swelling of the ovaries (oophoritis),
pancreatitis, meningitis, encephalitis and deafness.
Back to top
How does it spread?
Humans are the only known host of the mumps virus. Mumps is
usually spread from person to person by coughs and sneezes.
Occasionally, it may be spread by direct contact with the saliva
of someone with mumps. People with the illness can pass it to
others several days before the symptoms start and until just
after the swelling has settled.
Back to top
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms begin with a headache and fever for a day or two,
followed by swelling of the parotid glands, in front of the ears
on one or both sides. In some cases, the salivary glands do not
swell, but the patient develops symptoms elsewhere (eg. orchitis,
meningitis).
Back to top
How can it be treated?
There is no specific treatment for mumps. Treatment is based
on alleviating symptoms.
Back to top
What is the incubation period?
The incubation period is about 18 days but may vary usually
between 14 to 25 days.
Back to top
How can it be prevented?
The only effective way to prevent mumps is two immunisations
with the MMR vaccine.
Mumps has been one component of the MMR vaccine since 1988. It
is given to children as part of the routine vaccination
schedule. It is offered to all children at 12 - 15 months with a
second dose offered with the pre school booster at 3 - 5 years.
To reduce spread, cases are advised to stay at home for nine
days after the swollen glands appear.
If you are in any doubt about whether you have had 2 MMR immunisations, you would be best advised to have this done (again) - it's a very easy and low/no pain procedure and there is no limit to number of MMR injections people can have, as long as 3 weeks have elapsed since the last one. Your GP will do these for free and you will have protection within a very short period of time.
What should I do if I contract Mumps?
People with mumps are infectious from 2 days before the onset of symptoms until about 9 days afterwards, and even people without symptoms may be infectious. Consequently, if you have mumps it is advisable to stay away from University and avoid coming into contact with fellow students for about 9 days after the symptoms (eg the swollen glands) first appear. Before coming back to University, please check with your GP to ensure it is safe to do so, and to ask their advice on managing any risks associated with this infectious disease. This is important to help reduce the risk of spreading mumps within the University community.
Back to top
Why is there an increase in cases at present?
The MMR vaccine was first introduced in the UK in 1988. It was
offered to children aged 12 - 15 months. The second dose, given
at 3 - 5 years, was not introduced until 1996.
Prior to 1988, and in the catch up vaccination in 1994, mumps
vaccine was not included in the schedule.
This means that there
is a large group of people in their late teens and early
twenties who may not have been vaccinated or who will only have
received one vaccination dose.
These people are at
increased risk of acquiring the disease and,
consequently, there is an
increase in cases nationally in this age group.
Back to top
Further information?
For more information on mumps, you can visit the Health
Protection Agency website
http://www.hpa.org.uk/infections/topics_az/mumps/menu.htm.
If you are concerned about mumps, you may phone NHS Direct on
0845 46 47, or visit the NHS Direct website on
http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/
Back to top
What is MMR?
MMR is the combined vaccine against measles, mumps and rubella.
MMR was introduced in 1988. Two doses are given,
normally one is given at 12-15
months and then a second dose at 3-5 years of age,
although you can have the MMR at any age.
People born before
1987 will not have been routinely offered
the MMR and consequently may have no
immunity to mumps, unless they have had the natural infection.
Back to top
How effective is MMR in preventing mumps?
90-95% of people will become immune to mumps after one dose of
the vaccine.
Back to top
How quickly does it work?
Having the MMR does not protect you straight away. It can take a
few weeks for a person to develop immunity to mumps.
Back to top
Are there any reasons for not giving MMR?
People are not given the MMR vaccine if they:
· have a feverish illness - you are advised to have the vaccine
when you are better.
· have already had a severe reaction to MMR
· are pregnant - women should avoid pregnancy for 1 month after
MMR
· react severely to neomycin or kanamycin
· have untreated malignant disease or altered immunity
MMR vaccine can be given irrespective of a history of measles,
mumps or rubella infection. There are no ill effects from
vaccinating individuals who are already immune. There is no
contra-indication to the vaccine for people with egg allergies.
HIV positive individuals may be given MMR in the absence of
contra-indications.
Back to top
Are there any adverse reactions?
Following a dose of MMR, malaise, fever and/or a rash can occur,
most commonly about a week after immunisation, and lasting about
two or three days. Occasionally, adults who get the mumps
vaccine may develop swelling of the salivary glands in the
cheeks and neck. You cannot get mumps, measles or rubella from
the vaccine. Adverse reactions are considerably less
common after a second dose. That is why persons who have
had measles and rubella vaccination before, are less likely to
suffer side effects from the MMR vaccine. Very rarely, a
severe allergic reaction can occur straight after any
immunisation (about 1 in 100,000 immunisations for MMR). People
giving immunisations are trained to deal with allergic
reactions. Over 500 million doses of MMR have been used
worldwide. There is no evidence that MMR is linked to autism or
bowel disease.
Back to top
Further information?
For more information on MMR, visit
http://www.immunisation.nhs.uk/Vaccines/MMR.
.
