Mumps: My son's friend was advised by his GP to get a vaccine against mumps before he goes to university. My son is due to start college at the same time so should he get it too?
Although mumps is more usually associated with young children, teenagers and adults can also get it. As part of the childhood vaccine programme, young children are given the mumps vaccine combined with vaccines for measles and rubella (MMR). But not everyone is vaccinated when young.
You may recall that last year there was an outbreak of mumps across the country, particularly in third-level institutions. As an outbreak control measure, students under 25, and particularly first-year students who have not had a previous two doses of the vaccine, are advised to attend for vaccination against mumps before commencing college.
How would you know if you had it?
Mumps is a viral infection spread through coughing and sneezing. The most common symptoms are swelling of the salivary glands, particularly the parotid gland which lies in front of and below the ear. Fever, discomfort on opening the mouth, weakness and lethargy can also be a problem. It takes approximately 18 days for the infection to incubate. It can then be passed on to others from about two days before symptoms appear to 12 days after the swellings disappear.
It is necessary to isolate the infected person once mumps is suspected to avoid further spread of the virus. As there is no cure for mumps, symptoms must be managed until the immune system fights off the illness.
Paracetemol should be given for pain control and high temperature while rest should be encouraged until the fever settles. Applying mild heat to the glands in the form of hot towels can help relieve pain. A diet of soft foods along with plenty of fluids taken through a straw will help facial discomfort.
If my son gets mumps, will he be sterile afterwards?
In a minority of cases, mumps can cause swelling or inflammation of the testes in men or of the ovaries in women.
These are rare complications.
Swelling usually affects only one testis. Sterility very rarely occurs and then only when both testes have been affected.
Other complications include meningitis and encephalitis. Medical advice must always be sought if swelling of the testis is experienced in men or if a girl complains of low abdominal pain when they have mumps.
Indeed, if the patient is delirious, has headaches, vomiting or has a stiff neck, get medical assistance immediately.