Mumps Case Confirmed at UW-Milwaukee

One case of the mumps has been confirmed in a University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee student as of Wednesday, December 2.

Norris Health Center is working closely with the City of Milwaukee Health Department to initiate the appropriate follow-up investigation with people who have had close contact. Statewide, there have been 37 cases reported in 2015. Most are associated with universities.

Norris Health Center encourages all campus community members to take the following steps to stay healthy and prevent the spread of illness.

The University is providing vaccinations at no cost from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM on Wednesday, December 9 at the Union Fireside Lounge.

1.    Check your immunization records. Check your immunization records to make sure you’ve had two doses of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine.  Immunization with two doses of MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine is the safest and most effective way to prevent up to 95% of mumps infections for young adults. Individuals born before 1957 are likely to have had mumps disease as a child and are not generally considered in need of vaccination. If you were vaccinated in Wisconsin, you can check your immunizations at http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/immunization/publicAccess.htm.

2.    Follow these preventive actions. Mumps is spread from an infected person through coughing, sneezing, or talking or through contact with saliva so wash your hands regularly with soap and water; sneeze and cough into a tissue or your elbow; and avoid sharing drinks, food and utensils.

3.    Watch for symptoms even if you have been vaccinated. Students who experience symptoms should contact Norris Health Center at 414-229-4716. Early symptoms usually begin 16 to 18 days after exposure and are similar to those of the flu: fever, headache, muscle aches, and fatigue. Swelling of the cheek and jaw area (salivary glands) usually follows and is a classic symptom of mumps. Sometimes mumps can cause tenderness or swelling of the testicles. In some cases, mumps infection can result in complications that can be severe and result in hospitalization. Students who experience symptoms should call Norris Health Center to make an appointment. Faculty and staff should contact their private health care provider.

4.    Stay home if you are sick. Anyone suspected of having mumps is expected to stay home from school, work, or similar activities for five days. This means don’t attend class or labs, go to work, or socialize with others during this five-day period and don’t use public transportation. Mouth and nose should be covered during any sneezing or coughing and hands should be washed frequently. There is no treatment for mumps, but you can soothe your symptoms by getting plenty of bed rest, taking over-the-counter pain killers such as Ibuprofen or Tylenol to relieve any pain, and drinking plenty of fluids.