April 10, 2006 Hello! What do you know about mumps? To many teens and young adults, mumps is a disease of the past. "Mumps is a viral
infection that primarily affects the parotid glands -- one of three
pairs of salivary glands, located below and in front of your ears.
If you or your child contracts mumps, it can cause swelling in one
or both parotid glands. However, your odds of contracting mumps
aren't very high. Mumps was common until the mumps vaccine was licensed
in 1967. Before the vaccine, up to 200,000 cases of mumps occurred
each year in the United States. Since then, the number of cases
has dropped dramatically, so there are now fewer than 300 cases
a year. Mumps is still a common disease in many parts of the world,
though, so prevention is important." Of those fewer than 300 cases: "Unvaccinated children
between the ages of 2 and 12 are most commonly infected, but the
infection can occur in other age groups." This year: "Iowa, April 6, 2006
- Over 350 mumps cases have now been reported in the state.
That's more cases than a typical year in the entire country." Iowa has had the most cases during this particular epidemic, and unvaccinated children are the minority these cases. "The Kansas Department
of Health and Environment is investigating whether the Douglas County
cases, and two additional cases in Saline and Norton counties, are
related to a mumps epidemic sweeping through Iowa. Iowa has reported
about 300 cases. The two KU students, both 19, became ill in the
past three weeks, KU officials said in a statement. One tested positive
for mumps over spring break while at home in Illinois and has since
recovered and returned to campus. The second student was under a
doctor's supervision. ... But with most Douglas County cases occurring
among 19- to 26-year-olds, health officials are concerned that the
illness could make its way through the campus. 'The kids are in
close contact, and this spreads quickly,' said Sheryl Tirol-Goodwin
of the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department. ... 'Since it
is a contagious illness and we have a very mobile society, we would
expect there could be some impact (from Iowa) on surrounding states,'
said Howard Rodenberg, director of the Kansas Department of Health
and Environment division of health. ... People with mumps can be
contagious before and after their symptoms appear. 'Be mindful,'
Tirol-Goodwin said. 'Wash your hands. Don't cough or sneeze on people.
If you have symptoms, stay home.'" Symptoms to watch for include: "Fever, headache,
muscle ache, and swelling of the glands close to the jaw." Why the concern? "Complications [from
mumps include] Meningitis, inflammation of the testicles or ovaries,
inflammation of the pancreas and deafness (usually permanent)." To avoid these and other possible complications, it is recommended that most people get vaccinated. The decision to get vaccinated involves taking into consideration each person's unique health status. Because of complications that some may encounter as a result of the vaccine, it is important for individuals to talk with their doctors about what is right for them. "For mumps vaccine, the following should be considered:
Questions of the Week:
Please email me with any ideas or suggestions. I look forward to reading what you have to say. Cindy |
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