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More Mumps Cases...
In the past few weeks, the United States has had its biggest mumps outbreak in 20 years. Nine states, mainly in the Midwest but also in California, have reported cases of the viral disease. About 1,000 cases have been reported so far. They are scattered across the area, but the greatest number, 815, are in Iowa, stateline.org reported.
In Nebraska, health officials have used the mumps outbreak to test two communications systems, one sends emergency measures to local officials and the other tracks cases in real time.
Mumps, once widely associated with common childhood illnesses, such as measles and chicken pox, has been largely eradicated since the late 1960s. Having mumps as a kid means that you have to stay in bed for a week with the classic symptoms of fever and swollen cheeks. But adults can get these "childhood" infections as well. In Iowa, for example, mumps has mostly struck adults 18 to 22, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.
The virus usually starts with a sore throat and fever. But the thing that makes this disease unique is that it causes swelling of the glands, especially the salivary glands along the jaw.
The glands become tender and painful, and it makes eating difficult. In some people, it can go to other glands, such as the pancreas and testicles, and cause swelling. In the testicles, that can lead to sterility.
The mumps virus is mainly spread by coughing, sneezing and intimate contact, such as kissing. It can also be transmitted on the surface of items, such as toys. Fever, headaches and swelling of the cheeks -- actually a swelling of the salivary glands -- is typical.
Generally, people born before 1957 are thought to have had mumps, so they probably have longer-lasting protection. Vaccinations started in the '60s. And in 1985 or so, they decided to start giving two doses.
There is a blood test that shows if you're immune, but generally it's cheaper and easier to just give another dose of vaccine to people who have received the second dose.
The vaccine not always work, rarely found a vaccine at 100 percent, so 90 percent is thought to be pretty good. For people who haven't had a second vaccine, it would be reasonable to contact their physician. There are a few people who (shouldn't) get this -- pregnant women, people with immune system problems. For the most part, mumps is a nuisance disease, but it can have serious complications. There's certainly no need for panic, but it's a preventable thing, so making sure your immunizations are up to date is a good idea.
In Nebraska, health officials have used the mumps outbreak to test two communications systems, one sends emergency measures to local officials and the other tracks cases in real time.
Mumps, once widely associated with common childhood illnesses, such as measles and chicken pox, has been largely eradicated since the late 1960s. Having mumps as a kid means that you have to stay in bed for a week with the classic symptoms of fever and swollen cheeks. But adults can get these "childhood" infections as well. In Iowa, for example, mumps has mostly struck adults 18 to 22, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.
The virus usually starts with a sore throat and fever. But the thing that makes this disease unique is that it causes swelling of the glands, especially the salivary glands along the jaw.
The glands become tender and painful, and it makes eating difficult. In some people, it can go to other glands, such as the pancreas and testicles, and cause swelling. In the testicles, that can lead to sterility.
The mumps virus is mainly spread by coughing, sneezing and intimate contact, such as kissing. It can also be transmitted on the surface of items, such as toys. Fever, headaches and swelling of the cheeks -- actually a swelling of the salivary glands -- is typical.
Generally, people born before 1957 are thought to have had mumps, so they probably have longer-lasting protection. Vaccinations started in the '60s. And in 1985 or so, they decided to start giving two doses.
There is a blood test that shows if you're immune, but generally it's cheaper and easier to just give another dose of vaccine to people who have received the second dose.
The vaccine not always work, rarely found a vaccine at 100 percent, so 90 percent is thought to be pretty good. For people who haven't had a second vaccine, it would be reasonable to contact their physician. There are a few people who (shouldn't) get this -- pregnant women, people with immune system problems. For the most part, mumps is a nuisance disease, but it can have serious complications. There's certainly no need for panic, but it's a preventable thing, so making sure your immunizations are up to date is a good idea.
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