Mumps
The Health Protection Agency in the North East has seen an increase in the number of mumps cases among people aged between 18 and 25. A number of these are among students resident in the region.
The most common symptom of mumps is swollen parotid glands in the neck. For most people mumps is a minor illness but people are infectious for 5 days after they develop symptoms.
- Protect yourself by ensuring that you have had 2 doses of MMR vaccine
- Contact your GP if you think you may have mumps
- If you are unwell, prevent spreading the infection by:
- Staying at home for 5 days after the onset of swollen glands (don’t attend university and do not socialise during this period)
- Washing your hands regularly with soap and water
- Always use a tissue to cover your mouth and nose when you cough and sneeze. Throw the tissue in a bin immediately afterwards.
For more information about protecting yourself from mumps see the fact sheet Are you fully immunised against mumps? (PDF: 36KB)
Students are being encouraged to obtain the MMR vaccination if they have not received both doses of the MMR vaccine.
