Hays County Health Department Addresses Mumps Cases At Texas State University

The best way to prevent getting the mumps is to make sure you have had two doses of the MMR vaccine.

The Hays County Health Department has been notified that two Texas State students have tested positive for mumps. In addition, four other students are showing signs and symptoms of mumps, and we are waiting on their lab results.

So far, all of the patients are Texas State University students, but these students have visited local businesses in the San Marcos community, so everyone needs to be aware of this potential outbreak.

The mumps virus is transmitted through coughing, sneezing, kissing, and sharing of personal items such as cups and utensils. It can also be transmitted by touching a contaminated surface such as a door knob, light switch, etc.

Basically, it can be spread just like the flu. Symptoms may not show up on someone until they have been infected for almost 25 days, so this is a difficult disease to contain. The most common symptoms are:

• Fever
• Headache
• Body Aches
• Tiredness
• Loss of Appetite
• Tenderness and swelling of the salivary glands below the ear or jaw
• Tenderness and swelling of the testicles

Treatment for mumps consists of rest, medication for fever such as Tylenol and Advil, and cold packs for the swollen salivary glands and testicles. There is not a specific antiviral treatment for mumps.

Most people will recover completely within a few weeks.

Should residents begin to show signs and symptoms, please call a physician’s office before going to one. Many physicians have procedures in place to prevent a mumps patient from possibly infecting other people in the lobby/waiting room.

The best way to prevent getting the mumps is to make sure you have had two doses of the MMR vaccine. This vaccine is available for children and adults. If a resident is diagnosed with mumps, the county health department asked that they please isolate themselves for a week. After the swelling appears below the ear or jaw, a person is highly contagious for at least 5 days.

If residents need more information about mumps, visit the CDC’s website at www.cdc.gov/mumps/index.htm.