Mumps

A number of suspected and confirmed cases of mumps have been reported by students at both the University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University. We are working with Public Health England to inform students about mumps and explain why vaccination is important. This page includes information on the condition, including symptoms, and what to do if you suspect you have mumps. 

Students exhibiting symptoms should visit their GP as normal for advice and treatment. Please do not be concerned; while the symptoms can be unpleasant, complications are rare.  However, we would encourage anyone who has not received the MMR vaccine to do so – it is freely available on the NHS. Halls and welfare staff are alerted and ready to support affected students with any concerns related to their health or studies. We wish anyone affected a very speedy recovery.

What is mumps?

Mumps is a contagious viral infection caused by a paramyxovirus. Swelling of the parotid glands is the most common symptom of mumps. The parotid glands are a pair of glands responsible for producing saliva and they're located on either side of the face, just below the ears. 

More general symptoms often develop a few days before the parotid glands swell. These can include:

• Headache
• Joint pain
• Feeling sick
• Dry mouth
• Mild abdominal pain
• Feeling tired
• Loss of appetite
• High temperature (fever) of 38C (100.4F), or above  

In about one in three cases, mumps doesn't cause any noticeable symptoms. 

Complications are rare but can include swelling of the ovaries (oophoritis), swelling of the testes (orchitis), aseptic meningitis and deafness. 

How the disease spreads

Mumps is spread in the same way as the common cold and flu – through infected droplets of saliva that can be inhaled or picked up from surfaces and transferred into the mouth or nose.

A person is most contagious a few days before the symptoms develop and for a few days afterwards.

If you have mumps, you can help prevent it spreading by:

• regularly washing your hands with soap and water
• using and disposing of tissues when you sneeze  
• avoiding university or work for at least five days after the onset of swelling  

When to see your GP

If you suspect that you might have mumps, it's important to contact your GP so a diagnosis can be made. While mumps isn't usually serious, the condition has similar symptoms to more serious types of infection, such as glandular fever and tonsillitis. Let your GP know in advance if you're going into the surgery, so they can take any necessary precautions to prevent the spread of infection.

Diagnosing mumps

Mumps can be confirmed in the laboratory by testing a sample of oral fluid from your mouth. Your GP surgery may either administer this test to you or may offer you a test kit that enables you to do the test for yourself. Alternatively, a test kit will be sent to you in the post from Public Health England. 

It is important to confirm the diagnosis, so we would encourage you to use the test kit and return it either to the surgery or to Public health England using the freepost envelope provided. The test is very easy to do, and the kit comes with instructions. Test results will be sent to your GP Surgery.

Protecting against mumps

You can protect yourself against mumps by making sure you have received two doses of the combined MMR vaccine (for mumps, measles and rubella).

If you are not sure whether or not you have had two doses of the MMR vaccine, please check with your parents first and then with your GP.

If you have not had two doses of MMR vaccine, please make an appointment with your GP to get vaccinated. We still recommend two doses of MMR even if you have previously had a single measles vaccine or measles and rubella vaccine. 

MMR vaccine is freely available on the NHS and is the best protection against mumps. Some people may still get mumps after they have received two doses of MMR but they get a much milder illness and are less likely to suffer from any complications. 

Find out more about mumps on the NHS website.